Hay Festival 2025 Features Michael Sheen, Mary Trump, 600 Events

The 2025 Hay Festival in Powys has unveiled a diverse lineup featuring notable figures such as Welsh actor Michael Sheen, musician Paloma Faith, and Mary Trump, niece of former President Donald Trump. The festival, set to run from May 22 to June 1, will explore themes including the impacts of AI, health, new political orders, and intergenerational exchanges. Festival president Stephen Fry emphasized the event's role as an 'antidote to disinformation and division,' inviting a wide array of voices from literature, politics, and the arts. Among the other participants are Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke, children's author Jacqueline Wilson, and activists like Yulia Navalnaya. The event also aims to foster global exchanges as it celebrates 20 years since its first overseas event. Following last year's controversy over sponsorship ties with Israel, the festival continues to attract prominent creators and thinkers.