Queen’s Reading Room to produce first live event in Wales

The Queen’s Reading Room will produce its first ever live literary event in Wales, at Hay Festival on Thursday 30th May. 

The event will see Waterstones Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho join fellow authors Frank Cottrell-Boyce (patron of the Reader Organisation) and Cressida Cowell (Children’s Laureate 2019–22) to delve into the history of children’s literature, giving the audience a "whistle-stop tour of their own favourites". 

Taking place on the Global Stage, acclaimed film and stage actor Freddie Fox ("The Crown", "House of the Dragon") will deliver book readings as part of the event.

The event aims to explore the link between reading and wellbeing and follows a neuroscientific study commissioned by The Queen’s Reading Room, which revealed that reading for just five minutes daily can reduce stress by nearly 20%, improve concentration and focus by as much as 11% and help readers feel more able to tackle challenges. 

This year’s festival takes place from 23rd May to 2nd June. Hay Festival Global c.e.o. Julie Finch said: “The Queen’s Reading Room is a charity that shares our mission of spreading the joy of reading globally. It is a privilege to support their work in reaching new audiences, partnering on their first public event in Wales to showcase a thrilling line-up of writers and performers for young people.

“Her Majesty The Queen has been a wonderful supporter of Hay Festival Global over the years, most recently opening our digital festival in 2021, and we are delighted with this continued engagement through The Queen’s Reading Room.” 

Vicki Perrin, c.e.o. of The Queen’s Reading Room said: “The Queen’s Reading Room is delighted to be making our Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye debut with an enchanting conversation featuring celebrated authors Joseph Coelho, Cressida Cowell, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and actor Freddie Fox. 

“As a charity, we are fascinated by the relationship between reading fiction and wellbeing and look forward to presenting this very special live edition of The Queen’s Reading Room, which will reflect on the profound effect reading fiction has on our wellbeing and brain health. 

“We know that this will be an unmissable event at Hay Festival Hay-on-Wye 2024, and we very much look forward to connecting with our audience in Wales.”