MONDAY 27 MAY
hayfestival.org 11.30am [133] 11.30am BBC TENT
1pm [135] 1pm OXFAM MOOT £10
free but ticketed
The Essay
Jane Glover
BBC Radio 3
Handel in London: The Making of a Genius
In this series of Hay Essays, writers respond to the themes of Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe, often described as the first modern novel, and a story that still resonates with us 300 years after it was written. [HD20] 11.30am OXFAM MOOT £10
Chris Riddell
The Tales of Beedle the Bard Former Children’s Laureate Chris Riddell will talk about the inspiration behind his art for The Tales of Beedle the Bard and what it was like to illustrate JK Rowling’s words. There will be dramatic readings of the stories from the book while Chris Riddell draws live. 6+
Handel was only 27 and largely self-taught when he followed his princely master to England, where the Hanoverian prince became King George II. Handel would be at the heart of musical activity in London for the next four decades, composing masterpiece after masterpiece from the glorious coronation anthem, Zadok the Priest and operas such as Giulio Cesare, Rinaldo and Alcina to the great oratorios, culminating in Messiah. Glover, who has conducted Handel’s work in opera houses and concert halls throughout the world, draws on her profound understanding of music and musicians to tell Handel’s story. [136] 1pm LLWYFAN CYMRU – WALES STAGE £8
Eric Vuillard talks to Philippe Sands
Fictions: The Order of the Day
[HD21] 11.30am STARLIGHT STAGE £8
BookTrust Storytime Prize
Shortlist celebration hosted by Baroness Floella Benjamin Come and snuggle up with the six shortlisted authors and illustrators of the BookTrust Storytime Prize 2019! This will be a glorious celebration of the very best books for sharing with babies and young children. There will be live readings of the books and a chance to make some noise, all hosted by children’s champion and former Play Away and Play School presenter Baroness Floella Benjamin. To find out more about BookTrust visit booktrust.org.uk. Family event – aimed at families with young children and babies In association with BookTrust
1pm [134] 1pm BAILLIE GIFFORD STAGE £9
Hannah Critchlow
The Science of Fate: Why Your Future is More Predictable Than You Think So many of us believe that we are free to shape our own destiny. But what if free will doesn’t exist? What if our lives are largely predetermined, hardwired in our brains, and our choices over what we eat, who we fall in love with, even what we believe are not real choices at all? Neuroscience is challenging everything we think we know about ourselves, revealing how we make decisions and form our own reality, unaware of the role of our unconscious minds.
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Vuillard’s gripping The Order of the Day, a mesmerising work of black comedy, won the Prix Goncourt in 2017 and is regarded as one of the great contemporary novels. It tells the story of the pivotal meetings that took place between the European powers in the run-up to World War Two. What emerges is a fascinating and incredibly moving account of failed diplomacy, broken relationships and the catastrophic momentum that led to conflict. [137] 1pm HAY FESTIVAL FOUNDATION STAGE £8
Paula Bonet, Hilary Cottam, Kapka Kassabova, Janne Teller and Sophie Hughes
Europa28: The Future of Europe Hay Festival is working with Rijeka Capital of Culture 2020 in Croatia to commission 28 writers and thinkers from across the continent to reimagine the future of Europe. Four of the 28 join us in Hay this year to preview their ideas and stories. Bonet is an artist from Spain, Cottam a social historian and philosopher from Britain, Kassabova a Bulgarian-Scots journalist and Teller a novelist and former UN officer. They talk to the translator, editor and writer Sophie Hughes. In association with Wom@rts and Creative Europe, supported by Acción Cultural Española and the British Council [138] 1pm BBC TENT
free but ticketed
Fortunately… with Fi and Jane
BBC Sounds BBC Radio 4’s hit podcast Fortunately… with Fi and Jane comes to Hay Festival. Fi Glover, Jane Garvey and guests exchange frank and often hilarious insights on life and broadcasting.