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Hay Festival has tripled its Texas incarnation with 25 artists taking part in 21 events next month, as professor Elan Closs Stephens joins the festival’s charity arm as a trustee.
Organisers have announced the line-up for Hay Festival Forum Dallas 2024 in Texas running from 11th to 13th October with confirmed guests include award-winning novelists Viet Thanh Nguyen, Valeria Luiselli, Mircea Cărtărescu, Mariana Enriquez and Booker Prize-winner Douglas Stuart among others.
Organisers said of the expansion: "Having tripled its capacity for its seventh edition with new venue partnerships, this will be the largest and most inclusive forum yet, offering big stage conversations, workshops and book clubs in venues across the Texan city, including the Texas Theatre, Whose Books, Oak Cliff Assembly and The Wild Detectives bookstore bar.
"The bilingual programme promises a world of different perspectives, celebrating the power of storytelling and impact of indigenous languages, while bridging the North/South border with local writing stars and headline names from further afield.
"Expansion of the Dallas event is the latest chapter of Hay Festival’s global projects, forging creative connections across four continents with year-round events, partnerships and far-reaching education programmes."
Hay Festival chief executive Julie Finch said: "We believe that stories can change the world. As a global charity, we connect millions of readers with essential storytellers through our one-of-a-kind festivals, forums, programmes, and digital platforms. We are delighted to present this dynamic programme for our seventh edition in Dallas and offer more Texans than ever a chance to enjoy Hay Festival inspiration in person."
Hay Festival International director Cristina Fuentes La Roche said: "Here is a programme offering a world of different voices for a city full of diversity, inspiration and ideas. We are excited to be broadening our Hay Festival Forum in Dallas, enhancing bilingual engagement across continents and celebrating the best of literature and ideas in cultural spaces all over this beautiful city."
Additionally, it was announced this week that professor Elan Closs Stephens, electoral commissioner for Wales, has joined Hay Festival Global Charity board as a trustee.
She is a non-executive director with a career in broadcasting, the creative industries and academia. Also appointed a dame, Closs Stephens has been a member of the BBC’s governing body since 2010 and was the BBC’s Acting Chair 2023/24. She served two terms as chair of S4C with roles in Aberystwyth University’s department of theatre, film and television studies. She is also the university’s pro chancellor.
The Hay Festival can be accessed on Hay Festival Anytime, a subscription service (formerly Hay Player) for £20 per year.