Clary and Cowell to take part in Hay's school programme

Julian Clary, Cressida Cowell and Gemma Cairney will take part in Hay Festival Wales' 2018 schools programme, which will also feature a selection of internationally-acclaimed scientists, historians, poets and entertainers.

The festival takes place from 24th May to 3rd June, and will also feature authors Laura Dockrill, Eoin Colfer, David Almond, Patrice Lawrence; poets Joe Coelho and Eric Ngalle Charles, storyteller Daniel Morden; maths prodigy Anne-Marie Imafidon; and BBC presenter Katie Thistleton.

Also part of the festival will be two specially-curated days for states schools which will blend live performance, workshops and storytelling. The days - 24th May and 25th May - will be free for state schools and funded by Hay Festival Foundation and the Welsh Government. Last year’s Schools Days saw 21,461 pupils attend from 105 primary schools and 78 secondary schools from across England and Wales.

The Hay Festival Beacons Project is also opening for applications. A free workshop residency for 16 to 18-year-olds interested in writing, it offers 20 students from across Wales the chance to meet and work with professional writers, broadcasters and journalists at the festival and develop their creative writing skills. Details on how to apply can be found at the Hay Festival website.

Hay Festival Schools Days and the Beacons Project are part of the festival’s wider education work and commitment to young people that also includes Hay Compass, Hay Academy, Hay Levels, free tickets for students, and Hay Festival Scribblers Tour, which takes writers direct to young people all over Wales throughout the year.

Aine Venables, Hay Festival Educations director, said: “Opening up inspiring opportunities for young is a core part of our mission here and around the world. We will be welcoming thousands of pupils and students of all ages to Hay Festival 2018 giving them the chance to meet and engage with writers, performers and scientists for free. Schools will also have the opportunity to explore topics from equality, positive self-esteem, discovery and empathy, through to space, the importance of campaigning, and STEM.”

The full Hay Festival 2018 programme will be announced on Monday 26th March.