London, October 4, 2025
News Summary
The Hay Festival has significantly broadened its global presence by launching new editions in Ukraine, Panama, and Spain. The organization emphasizes freedom of expression and creative freedom, a response to increasing global political challenges. With a focus on hybrid events in Ukraine and a standalone forum in Dallas, Texas, the festival continues to attract a diverse audience and promote critical discussions, including mental health and the experiences of displaced peoples.
London
Hay Festival expands globally with new editions in Ukraine, Panama and Spain and spotlights freedom of expression
Hay Festival has broadened its international footprint with new festival editions in Ukraine, Panama and Spain, while placing freedom of expression and creative freedom at the center of its expanding programming. The Wales-based organization has significantly expanded its international programming over the past several years and now operates more than a dozen international festivals and forums.
Key developments and priorities
Hay Festival is recognized as a leading literary festival organizer in the English-speaking world. New festival editions have been launched in Ukraine, Panama, and Spain. The program in Dallas, Texas, Hay’s only event in the U.S., has been enhanced and turned into a standalone “forum”. Hay Festival transitioned to charitable status in 2022, allowing for the addition of four new countries to its roster.
The expansion is framed around a commitment to promote freedom of expression and creative freedom, themes that the organization says have become more urgent amid global political polarization. The organization employs around 20 full-time staff globally, and approximately two-thirds of its revenue is generated from ticket and book sales.
Ukraine partnership and programming
A significant new partnership has developed with the Hay Festival BookForum in Lviv, Ukraine, starting in 2022. That partnership arose when Lviv’s organizers approached Hay for assistance during the early months of Russia’s invasion. The collaboration has enabled hybrid events in Ukraine featuring prominent international authors, and Ukrainian writers, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk, have been featured at Hay festivals worldwide.
The London event on October 2 marked the kickoff of the year’s Lviv BookForum and included a panel titled “Fighting Forgottenness,” which focused on stories of redrawn borders, displaced peoples, and broken identities. Free tickets were offered to displaced Ukrainians for the events in Ukraine. Programming will include panels on war, displacement and resilience, including sessions on mental health in times of upheaval and the role of women in writing during war. Organizers have noted security challenges in transporting U.K. artists to Ukraine.
U.S. forum and Dallas programming
The program in Dallas, Texas, Hay’s only event in the U.S., has been enhanced and turned into a standalone “forum”. The U.S. forum is expected to take place from October 17-19 this year. Dallas International programming aims to attract diverse audiences and address issues related to the U.S. political landscape. The Dallas event features authors such as Junot DÃaz, Rodrigo Fresan, and Joe Sacco among others. Dallas has separated from Mexican operations after years of collaboration.
Hay Festival is exploring further U.S. expansion with cities like Seattle and Los Angeles expressing interest. New U.S. editions would require local funding and community engagement programs not reliant on the U.K. operation.
Spanish-language emphasis and Latin America links
The organization prioritizes Spanish-language programming as a key to its international success. The first Hay Festival in Colombia occurred 20 years ago, paving the way for future festivals in Mexico, Peru, and Panama. Festivals across Latin America have emphasized “South-South” and “South-North” conversations, and Latin American female authors are gaining recognition and translation success globally.
Format, audiences and mission
Hay’s model combines entertainment with activism, addressing critical issues in various communities. The festivals emphasize creating engaging dialogues instead of traditional book fairs focused solely on new titles. There has been a rise in attendance from younger audiences. The organization has developed initiatives like The Platform to showcase emerging voices and appeal to younger readers. Organizers continue to push back against perceptions that the festival is only about books, highlighting ideas, performances, and workshops as part of the offering.
Operational scale and finances
Hay Festival now operates more than a dozen international festivals and forums. The organization employs around 20 full-time staff globally. Approximately two-thirds of its revenue is generated from ticket and book sales.
Background
The Wales-based organization has targeted geopolitically significant areas and underserved literary markets as part of its expansion strategy. The flagship festival in Herefordshire, England, remains a core event and is linked to hosting volunteers who have supported Ukrainian refugees in the U.K. Hay Festival has pursued partnerships and locally focused programming to sustain its international editions while maintaining a commitment to freedom of expression and cross-border cultural exchange.
FAQ
What is Hay Festival recognized as?
Hay Festival is recognized as a leading literary festival organizer in the English-speaking world.
How many international festivals and forums does Hay Festival operate?
Hay Festival now operates more than a dozen international festivals and forums.
Where have new festival editions been launched?
New festival editions have been launched in Ukraine, Panama, and Spain.
What changed for the Dallas program?
The program in Dallas, Texas, Hay’s only event in the U.S., has been enhanced and turned into a standalone “forum”.
When did Hay Festival change its legal status?
Hay Festival transitioned to charitable status in 2022, allowing for the addition of four new countries to its roster.
How many full-time staff does the organization employ?
The organization employs around 20 full-time staff globally.
How is Hay Festival funded?
Approximately two-thirds of its revenue is generated from ticket and book sales.
When did the partnership with Lviv start?
A significant new partnership has developed with the Hay Festival BookForum in Lviv, Ukraine, starting in 2022.
Were tickets offered to displaced Ukrainians?
Free tickets were offered to displaced Ukrainians for the events in Ukraine.
When will the U.S. forum take place?
The U.S. forum is expected to take place from October 17-19 this year.
What is the aim of Dallas International programming?
Dallas International programming aims to attract diverse audiences and address issues related to the U.S. political landscape.
What role does Spanish-language programming play?
The organization prioritizes Spanish-language programming as a key to its international success.
When did the first Hay Festival in Colombia occur?
The first Hay Festival in Colombia occurred 20 years ago, paving the way for future festivals in Mexico, Peru, and Panama.
Has youth attendance changed?
There has been a rise in attendance from younger audiences.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| New editions | Ukraine, Panama, Spain |
| U.S. presence | Dallas forum (Oct 17-19), exploring Seattle and Los Angeles |
| Operational scale | More than a dozen international festivals and forums |
| Legal status | Transitioned to charitable status in 2022 |
| Staff | Around 20 full-time staff globally |
| Revenue | Approximately two-thirds from ticket and book sales |
| Programming focus | Freedom of expression, Spanish-language programming, South-South and South-North conversations |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
American Airlines Expands International Travel for World Cup
Additional Resources
- Publishers Weekly: Hay Festival Brings Literary Stars to Ukraine, U.S. and Beyond
- El PaÃs: Nobel Peace Prize Winner Oleksandra Matviichuk
- Publishing Perspectives: Ukraine’s Lviv Book Forum – A Hay Festival Hybrid
- The Guardian: Hay Festival Drops Main Sponsor
- BBC News: Hay Festival Updates
- Wikipedia: Hay Festival
- Google Search: Hay Festival
- Google Scholar: Hay Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hay Festival
- Google News: Hay Festival
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
