Hay Festival 2014 to be broadcast on BBC

The BBC has announced that it will broadcast Hay Festival of Literature on radio, television and online platforms this year. Events will be broadcast over BBC Radio stations 2, 3, 4, and 6 Music in addition to BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru. There will also be television coverage on BBC One’s The One Show and BBC World News.

The annual festival, which takes place this year from 22nd May – 1st June, is a celebration
of literature and great writing. Held in Hay on Wye, near Powys, Wales, the festival brings together poets, authors, lyricists, comedians and lovers of literature for readings, discussion and debate. Founded in 1987, the festival has famously been described by Bill Clinton as ‘The Woodstock of the mind’.

This year’s line up includes appearances from actor Stephen Fry (who has recently been named President of the Hay Festival), children’s author Jacqueline Wilson, British Bake Off judge Mary Berry and comedian Johnny Vegas.

This year’s Hay Festival marks the beginning of a three year partnership between the festival and the BBC. The BBC said that the increased coverage would allow the festival to be more accessible than ever before. BBC Director General Tony Hall said: “Our coverage this year will demonstrate our ambition to join up arts on the BBC like never before – across television, radio and digital.By doing so we can give the public access to the greatest writers, performers and thinkers in a way that no one else can.”

Entry to the festival is free but tickets must be purchase in advance for individual events. For more information and tickets, visit the Hay Festival website.