Hay Festival

We supported a selected programme of events on the topic of equity, with authors Brenda Navarro, Kevin Jared Hosein, Thea Lenarduzzi, Pilar Quintana and Daniel Hahn. We also supporting an event with three novelists – all listed in the renowned Granta’s ‘Best of Young British’ 2023 list – Tom Crewe, Derek Owusu, Yara Rodrigues Fowler and an event exploring writing whilst also addressing the challenges of the climate and ecological emergencies.

In May 2023, the British Council renewed its collaboration with Hay Festivals in Mexico, Peru, and Colombia with a three-year programme on the topic of equity. Each festival will feature four UK writers and an exchange between a UK writer and a local writer.

For 2023-24, the series focused on equity, gender and sexual identity, featuring:

• Mexico: Andrea Wulf, Sarah Ladipo Manyika, Carissa Véliz, and Isabella Hammad.
• Peru: Karrie Fransman, Lola Shoneyin, Emma Graham Harrison, and Eley Williams.
• Colombia: David Olusoga, Natalie Haynes, Katy Hessel, and Tabitha Lasley.

The focus for 2024-25 will be on equity, race and ethnicity.

Hay Festival and Book Bunk announced a new collaboration to host the NBO Lit Fest in Nairobi, Kenya, from 27-30 June 2024. This festival aims to unite writers and readers through an ambitious programme of conversations and performances, promoting free expression and cultural exchange. As part of its UK/Kenya Season, the British Council supported events that brought together writers and speakers from Kenya, Latin America, and the UK, exploring the role of festivals in addressing global challenges.

The British Council’s partnership with the Hay Festival continues to foster meaningful cultural exchanges and promote UK literature on the global stage. Through various events and initiatives, we are committed to bringing diverse voices together, encouraging dialogue, and celebrating the power of literature to bridge cultures.