Photo: © 2004 Hay Festival of Literature and the Arts Ltd

On the Welsh side of the River Wye, the little market town of Hay has a population of 1,500 and no fewer than 39 bookshops. It bills itself as the world's first and most distinguished booktown, and is therefore a perfect setting for a literary festival on a grand scale. 'The Woodstock of the mind', Bill Clinton called it, and he is just one of a galaxy of stars and statesmen who could turn up at an event or a bar in the town. Stephen Fry, Sue Townsend, Michael Wood, Alexander McCall Smith, Goldie Hawn, Rory Bremner, Jon Snow and Terry Pratchett have all attended the festival in the past, delivering interviews or conversations with audiences in the festival marquee or one of the many venues in the town. The festival is a celebration of great writing in every medium in Britain and around the world. There are fringe events including film screenings and musical concerts and the bookshops remain open throughout.

Times
Various.