Introduction to Hay Festival Querétaro
The Hay Festival Querétaro is an opportunity to meet writers, artists, scientists, and various thinkers. But why isn’t it more well-known in Mexico?
The Humble Beginnings of the Hay Festival in Mexico
Back in 2010, I was sent to cover a literary festival in Zacatecas – the first edition of the Hay Festival in Mexico. For most reporters, it was an unknown event; they expected to interview well-known figures like Juan Villoro and Eduardo Rabasa. The festival started with little fanfare, charging for “conferences” that seemed to be the main events in the program.
The Unique Concept of the Hay Festival
The Hay Festival’s story and origins are quite interesting. It began in a small Welsh town, Hay-on-Wye, in 1988. With exactly 41 bookstores per capita, librarian Peter Florence declared himself President of the Country of Books. The festival aimed to create a nation inhabited by those who make books possible: writers and readers.
Unlike traditional literary events where authors are celebrities who sign books and disappear, the Hay Festival encourages genuine conversations between guests and attendees. These “conferences” are public discussions where an invited person, usually a writer, is interviewed by a journalist or another author with related work. The Hay Festival emphasizes equality, allowing everyone to share their stories without interruption.
The Festival’s Growth and Mexican Connections
The success of the original Welsh Hay Festival led to branches in various cities, including Nairobi, Segovia, Dallas, Panama, Peru’s Arequipa and Moquehua, and Colombia’s Medellín and Cartagena. The current director of the international Hay Festival is the renowned Stephen Fry. The festival’s democratic spirit is truly admirable.
During its first Zacatecas edition, the festival was memorable for attendees and those who covered it. Luis Eduardo Aute sang an a cappella song, and I had the privilege of interviewing Javier Cercas, one of my idols. The atmosphere was enjoyable.
The Festival’s Challenges in Mexico
However, the Hay Festival Mexico remains relatively unknown. It’s worth discovering, especially for young readers and those new to reading. Although they charge for talks, the price is symbolic.
The festival suffers from insufficient promotion, despite being known among cultural journalists. Organizers may prefer keeping it small and manageable, but this lack of publicity is puzzling. In a recent edition, students from Anáhuac University in Querétaro were invited to help as volunteers, yet none of them knew about the Hay Festival.
If organizers are unaware of their event’s essence, how can the public be expected to know? How can you honor the festival’s horizontal spirit when there’s no audience in the seats, and invited guests are isolated on stage?
Upcoming Hay Festival Querétaro
Despite the challenges, the recently announced Hay Festival Querétaro schedule (September 4-7) features intriguing discussions. For example, Alan Riding, author of “Vecinos distantes,” will converse with Mexican journalist Alma Guillermoprieto about the complex Mexico-US relationship.
The lineup includes predictable names like Juan Villoro, Valeria Luiselli, and Julieta Fierro, but also offers a chance to meet international authors. I’m excited about Argentine author Tamara Tenenbaum, who will present her award-winning essay “Un millón de cuartos propios,” responding to Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own” on its 100th anniversary.
The Hay Festival is a must-visit. Explore the program, let yourself be seduced by the discussions, and make it a discovery. Here’s the link: www.hayfestival.com.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Hay Festival Querétaro? It’s a literary event that brings together writers, artists, scientists, and thinkers for engaging conversations.
- Why is it less known in Mexico? Despite being known among cultural journalists, the festival lacks adequate promotion.
- What makes the Hay Festival unique? It encourages genuine conversations between guests and attendees, emphasizing equality and shared storytelling.
- What can attendees expect from the upcoming Hay Festival Querétaro? Engaging discussions, such as Alan Riding and Alma Guillermoprieto’s conversation on Mexico-US relations, as well as opportunities to meet international authors.
