Attentive listening

Incredibly full on day. We left at nine in the morning and got home at quarter past eleven at night.  Six events covering human rights (famous lawyer Michael Mansfield), the myth of meritocracy (philosopher Michael Sandell) and a fictionalised account of the inner workings of Putin’s cabal, The Wizard of the Kremlin (Guiliano Di Empoli, Italian political writer). The blip is a panel discussion of how European nations need to pull together to avoid the perfect storm of the rise of right wing populism, the prospect of a NATOphobic Trump second term, and Russia’s continued battering of the Ukraine. We did have a four hour gap until some more comedic stuff in the evening, and used this to have a walk around Hay in the sun and shop, eat and drink.

We met loads of interesting people - the festival is so chatty and friendly - and discovered a lovely little cider shop selling local brews.

Great day. Enjoy the gestures in the extras, the speakers are all so passionate.