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12 things we learned at the Hay Festival 2017

6 June 2017

As the sun sets on the 30th Hay Festival, we look back on 10 days of ideas, insight and inspiration in the company of authors from across the literary spectrum, as well as comedians, historians and politicians.

Photograph by Sam Hardwick

1. Bill Bailey's favourite part of Britain is the 'jewel' of the St Kilda islands

Bill Bailey: Why St Kilda haunts my dreams

The comedian describes the uninhabited Scottish islands as a 'jewel' of the natural world.

2. The origins of the name for Ian Rankin's Detective Rebus

Ian Rankin: The origins of Rebus

How Rankin's famous Detective Rebus was named.

3. Lemn Sissay thinks foster kids make great literary heroes

Lemn Sissay: Why foster care kids make great heroes

The poet outlines the importance of orphans and foster children in fiction and literature.

4. Jeanette Winterson thinks that love is more important than ever

Jeanette Winterson: We all need an education in love

The author argues that love is more important than ever in a world that's full of hate.

5. Will Self thinks the novel is dead

Will Self: The death of the novel?

Did the movies and the ease of the paperback distort how we felt about the novel?

6. Tracey Emin relies on her art in order to function

Tracey Emin: Art is my life support

The contemporary artist explains why she needs her work in order to function.

7. Garry Kasparov's thoughts on IBM's chess-playing computer, Deep Blue

Garry Kasparov: Deep Blue was as intelligent as an alarm clock

The grandmaster describes competing against the chess-playing computer developed by IBM.

8. Bettany Hughes explains why we tell ourselves stories

Bettany Hughes: Why we tell ourselves stories

The historian explains how history is made from the stories we tell about ourselves.

9. Writing 'INTERIOR. TARDIS' in a script made Neil Gaiman feel like a god

Neil Gaiman: Writing Doctor Who script made me feel like a god

The author of American Gods is asked if being a writer is like being a deity.

10. Bernie Sanders says countries can't make policy using 'alternative facts'

Bernie Sanders: Most Americans don't agree with President Trump

The opening of the US Senator's Eric Hobsbawm Lecture.

11. Pussy Riot's Nadya Tolokno on what you should know about Putin

Nadya Tolokno: What you need to know about Putin

The Pussy Riot punk rocker and activist gives her take on Russia's controversial leader.

12. Why Ed Balls did strictly Come Dancing

Ed Balls: Why I did Strictly Come Dancing

The former MP explains why he swapped politics for the Strictly dancefloor.

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