When your mind has an inclination for thoughtful stuff, Hay Festival is where you should be. Hay-On-Wye, Wales is the destination that becomes a paradise for people who are progressive in their line of thought. If your mind has liberal ideas that can make a difference, take the plunge and let the world know about it. The form of expression can be a poem, a play, an essay, a monologue or even a novel. It serves as the perfect set-up for letting your mind experience a sense of freedom with an eco-friendly backdrop.
This event is and has always been marked by the presence of eminent personalities like Bill Clinton, Judi Dench and more. So, spotting a celebrity here is not unusual. The country meadows are brightened up with like-minded individuals who unite to form a unique classroom that forms a channel for optimum expression of their ideas. However, if you think that the scene turns out to be monotonous and dull, then think twice, as there is a display of sights – like the calmness of Tibetan prayers and the depth of folk music. Besides that, the usual sight of colourful mats and chairs on the lush green grass doesn’t allow you to take away attention from them.
When you know that an event is being sponsored by heavyweights like the British Council and The Telegraph, you can well expect the speakers at this event to be the league of renowned poets, journalists, professors, comedians, scientists and other established intellectual names.
If you happen to be a part of Hay Festival, you can, with pleasure deviate from the main event and become a part of the smaller festivals within. Children get their own festival known as Hay Fever and teens have HF2 as theirs. These events have flavours unique to them, as an equal amount of fun is carried out here in form of food stalls and interactive workshops.
The spirit of this festival is no longer restricted to Wales only; many other countries like Mexico, Spain, Kenya, Bangladesh, Lebanon, Ireland and Hungary have contributed to take the festival across continents. So, get ready to witness the spellbinding amalgamation of culture and intellect.
