Latest news with #HayFestival2025
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Was ‘500 pc' sure I will win Booker Prize: Banu Mushtaq
Bengaluru: Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq said on Wednesday that she believed she would win the prize '500 per cent' and she wrote the speech three days ahead of the award ceremony. Mushtaq was speaking at a felicitation event organised by the Karnataka Union of Working Journalists in Bengaluru. 'Initially, I did not think much of it, but then I saw the reactions of people in social media after I was longlisted. Only then I realised the importance of the Booker Prize. So, when my family was sleeping in the night, I sat and wrote the speech that I ended up giving after I won,' said Mushtaq. She said she actually practiced the speech every day from then on, picturing herself holding the Booker Prize. She also recalled how, when her publisher tried to temper her expectations by saying that never in the history of the Booker Prize, a short story collection has won the prize, Mushtaq told the publisher, 'Why won't you believe that we might win? I believe 500 per cent.' She also talked about how people had absolutely no clue about the Kannada language and ended up pronouncing it 'Canada'. 'I made them repeat Kan-na-da,' added Mushtaq. Mushtaq, who was invited to speak at a panel at the Hay Festival 2025 in Wales on May 24 along with Prize director Gaby Wood and judge Anton Hur, said she was impressed with the 'book culture' there. 'The four-hour journey from London itself was so beautiful and reminded me so much of our Sakleshpura and Kodagu (hill stations in Karnataka) or even Kerala. But once there, I realised that the village might be small but it is a mecca for writers and readers. Nearly 25,000 people visit every day and buy books from the 40-odd small bookshops there during the 11 days of the festival,' said Mushtaq. She also said she was impressed by the crowd that stood in line for an autographed 'Heart Lamp' at the festival. 'Think nearly 300 people were there. I signed all books in Kannada,' she added. She said, as per her calculations, she believes her English publisher did Rs 6 crore business after the win. 'My book is also getting translated in 35 global languages and 12 Indian languages,' she added. Mushtaq said after winning, her world, too, really opened up. She is being invited all around the world. 'On June 16, I will go to London. In August, I will visit the Edinburgh Festival. Till next August my schedule is booked. I will be visiting Australia, New York and Bali...,' said the Kannada writer. Noting that she could not wear the Mysore silk saree -- that she deliberately chose to represent Karnataka -- on the winning night because her suitcase was lost in transit, Mushtaq said there's always a next time. She said she finally got her daughter, who was joining her from Bahrain, to bring the saree she wore. 'Guess, I have to win another Booker Prize so that the pending wish of wearing a Mysore silk saree for the Booker Prize reception will come true,' said the award winning writer, as cheers erupted from the crowd.
BBC News
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC line-up of free events announced for Hay Festival 2025 – including debuts from The Archers Podcast, What's Up Docs? and Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley
An exciting mixture of free BBC events have been added to the Hay Festival 2025 programme, 22 May –1 June. Taking place in the Exchange Marquee, set in the centre of the free-to-enter Hay Festival, BBC events (from 22nd May – 27th May) offer a dynamic blend of live show recordings and other events from Radio 4, Radio 3, BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Wales. This year's line-up sees many programmes making their Hay Festival debut. Fans of The Archers are in for a treat as Emma Freud brings her weekly podcast, The Archers Podcast, to Hay Festival for the first time. Join Emma for behind-the-scenes insights into the latest events in Ambridge, with members of the cast and the production team, along with some classic archive moments and the chance to ask questions. Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken present their brand-new BBC Radio 4 health podcast, What's Up Docs? in its first appearance at Hay Festival. They'll be debating everyday health and wellbeing dilemmas, with the help of a guest expert. Phil Wang and Susie Dent will host Unspeakable, their hit comedy panel series adding new words to the English language. Meanwhile, true crime meets literature with Lucy Worsley and the team from hit Radio 4 series Lady Killers in conversation with historian Professor Rosalind Crone and a guest to discuss infamous murderesses from history. Naomi Alderman dissects the minds of brilliant thinkers from the past in her landmark Radio 4 series Human Intelligence. James Crawford is joined by author Andrew Miller for Radio 4's new book programme, Take Four Books. Newscast, one of the UK's biggest podcasts, makes its Hay Festival debut, hosted by Adam Fleming. Radio 3's Unwind will feature broadcaster and presenter Dr. Sian Williams and cognitive neuroscientist Professor Catherine Loveday in conversation. Delving into the science behind music and the brain, Sian and Catherine share practical tips to keep listeners positive and productive, revealing the benefits of open-mindedness and getting out into nature. The BBC Marquee will also be home to a range of live broadcasts. Emma Barnett brings a special edition of Today live from Hay Festival, offering festival-goers the chance to see the inner workings of the BBC's flagship morning news programme. Saturday Live, hosted by Huw Stephens and Kiri Pritchard McLean, will have guests including author and Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones, presenter and author Stacey Dooley, and Murdle puzzle master GT Karber. Samira Ahmed will host Front Row live from the festival, and comedy writer Henry Normal presents a special edition of his show. Other popular favourites will return to Hay Festival this year, including the BBC's hit ghostly podcast Uncanny with host Danny Robbins, plus experts Evelyn Hollow and Ciaran O'Keeffe. Gabriel Gatehouse presents a special behind-the-scenes edition of the hit podcast The Coming Storm, and Dr Sian Williams speaks to people who have experienced life-changing events in Life Changing. Free Thinking returns for a double bill, with Matthew Sweet joined by Joe Dunthorne, Kavita Puri, and Jenny Kleeman to discuss personal identity; the second event will see guests Tom Holland, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Adam Greenfield, and Sophie Scott-Brown joining Matthew to discuss the topic of political power. For the second year running Radio 4's A Good Read comes to Hay Festival, where Harriett Gilbert is joined by two guests to choose their favourite books. Greg Foot returns with Radio 4's hugely popular consumer science programme, Sliced Bread, which this time looks at dog food. Michael Buerk chairs the Moral Maze debate with Ash Sarker, Anne McElvoy, James Orr, and Mona Siddiqui, and Natalie Haynes brings her signature mix of comedy and the classics in Natalie Haynes Stands Up for The Classics. There will also be the chance to join author, poet and former Children's Laureate, Michael Rosen, for an exploration of language in Word of Mouth. Tom Sutcliffe and his panel of experts come together to explore the afterlife of rubbish in Start the Week: he's joined by journalist Alex Clapp, whose book Waste Wars exposes the catastrophic reality of the global garbage trade; archaeologist Chloe Duckworth, who brings stories of the mess left behind by our ancestors; and palaeobiologist Sarah Gabbott who looks deep into the future to investigate how today's junk will appear in the fossil record in her book Discarded. Plus, there's uplifting stories at Cafe Hope, poetry with Ian McMillan, Michael Rosen and Natalie Ann Holborow in The Adverb, and music, comedy and conversation from Clive Anderson and guests on Loose Ends. On Bank Holiday Monday, the Marquee will be hosted by the iconic voices of Radio 4's continuity announcers. BBC Radio Wales will also present special programmes for book lovers, including Aberystwyth Book Club and Radio Wales Arts Show. Lucy Owen talks with famous names about the books they loved as a child in Books that Made Me. Plus, Jonathan Thomas discusses the Bible as literature with panellists Tom Holland, Dr Mark Clavier, and Dr Belle Tindall in All Things Considered. Mohit Bakaya, Director of Speech & Controller, Radio 4 & Radio 4 Extra, says: 'Both the Radio 4 and Hay audiences are driven by an insatiable desire for interesting ideas and people, so we're looking forward to bringing the BBC's very best radio and podcast offerings to the festival again this year. Some of our best new programming will sit alongside returning favourites. From the brand-new health podcast What's Up Docs? with Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken, the new Archers podcast with Emma Freud and Naomi Alderman's brilliant Human Intelligence series, to special editions of the Today Programme, Loose Ends and Lucy Worsley's hugely popular Ladykillers podcast there will be something for everyone. With our iconic Radio 4 continuity announcers acting as 'marquee hosts', this should be a terrific week with audiences being able to see their favourite programmes recorded live as well as discover new ones to enjoy.' Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch says, 'This year the BBC brings the best of Hay Festival to the world. With a fantastic line up of live recordings in our BBC Marquee, audiences can experience Hay Festival inspiration wherever they may be, free and open to all. Alongside Festival favourites from BBC Sounds, Radio 4, Radio 3 and Radio Wales, there are some exciting new shows to enjoy, mixing great British talent with major global names. Join us on site or from afar; everyone is welcome.' Notes to the editor Please note that Loose Ends and Unspeakable are ticketed events on the Discovery Stage. All other events are free and unticketed and taking place in the BBC Marquee. The full programme is available to view now at FK / RB2
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Star-studded Hay Festival 2025 line-up announced
The Hay Festival 2025 programme has been revealed, featuring over 600 events and a star-studded lineup. Now in its 38th year, the festival will take place in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, from May 22 to June 1, 2025. The festival will see more than 600 artists, policymakers, pioneers, and innovators from around the world take part in events that explore key global issues and launch the best new fiction and non-fiction books. Guests include Stacey Dooley, Brian Eno, Miranda Hart, Jacqueline Wilson, Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and many more. Click here to see the full list. Hay Festival global chief executive, Julie Finch, said: "Over the past 12 months, we've seen the speed at which our world can change and the high stakes for our times. READ MORE: Top Gear star Richard Hammond spotted without wedding ring Proud pub landlords speak out after "unexpected" win "Rare vagrant" bird spotted at county site "Here's a Hay Festival programme to tackle our shared challenges head-on with purpose and hope, celebrating new ideas and the power of storytelling to improve our lives. "Woven throughout you'll find our core themes for 2025 – the impacts of AI, health and wellbeing, new political orders and intergenerational exchanges. This is a festival for everyone. Join us in a world of different ideas." The festival will also feature several special projects and new initiatives, including The Platform, which spotlights young creative talent, Hay Festival Green, which proposes innovative solutions to the climate crisis, and The News Review, which engages with the day's top headlines. Nights at the festival will be filled with music, comedy, and entertainment, while free pop-up activities and performances will take place between sessions. Events will be hosted across eight stages at the free-to-enter festival site, which includes a bookshop, wild garden, make and take tent, and a family garden. Collaborations with organisations including Arts Council England, the BBC, and Black British Book Festival make this one of the most accessible festival editions yet. The festival will also be streamed live online, with a selection of sessions continuing the commitment to digital accessibility. Tickets are on sale now to Hay Festival Members, Patrons, and Benefactors on the hay Festival website, with general sale beginning at noon on Friday, March 14.
