THE 31st Literary festival at the Powys border town of Hay-on-Wye is in full swing featuring more than 600 of the world’s greatest writers, global policy makers, pioneers and innovators in 800 events across 11 days, the festival showcases the latest ideas in the arts, sciences and current affairs, alongside a rich schedule of music, comedy and entertainment for all ages.

Ending on Sunday, May 3, it sees a galaxy of literary stars gather to launch new work, while the biggest ever HAYDAYS and #HAYYA programmes give young readers the opportunity to meet their heroes and get creative.

This year’s guests include Margaret Atwood, Ian McEwan, Michael Morpurgo, Judith Kerr, David Walliams, Jacqueline Wilson, Lauren Child, Jilly Cooper, Jim Broadbent, Rose Tremain, Marian Keyes, Sechou Keia and Catrin Finch, the Hackney Colliery Band, Imelda May, Michael Gove, David Milliband, Shashi Tharoor, Akala, Jake Bugg, James O’Brien, Laura Bates, David Olusoga, Rose McGowan, Ruby Wax, Edmund de Waal, Kate Brandt, Bear Grylls and Goldie.

Friday includes events with Alexander McCall Smith, Richard Dawkins, Tony Hawks, The Scummy Mummies, and jazz group Trio HLK with percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie promoting their debut album “Standard Time”.

Saturday includes events with Philip Pullman, Peter Lord of Aardman Animations, folklorist Shirley Collins, Monty Don, Chris Bonnington, Phil Jupitus, Show of Hands with Stephanie Sykes, and a sneak preview of a new documentary film about Germaine Greer.

Sunday’s final events include Stephen Frears, Chelsea Clinton, Bryony Gordon, Bill Nighy, former prime minister Gordon Brown, and the closing Festival Choirs concert.

View the full programme and available tickets at hayfestival.org.

Also taking place at Hay-on-Wye this week as been the HowTheLightGetsIn festival, the worlds largest philosophy and music festival.

For 2018 the festival explored the theme of Darkness, Authority and Dreams, with more than 500 events and artists across 12 stages including bringing the world’s leading thinkers to debate cutting edge ideas as well as an inspiring programme of music, comedy, culture and performance.