Buzz
Books line the streets with no sellers in sight; buyers pick and choose, contributing to the honor system payment. During the festival, around 80,000 writers, publishers, and literature enthusiasts from across the globe gather here at the end of May each year.
Hay-on-Wye, a unique town in the world of books.
Hay-on-Wye is a small town and community nestled along the banks of the River Wye in Powys, Wales, bordering England. It attracts many book lovers seeking hidden treasures in over 40 second-hand bookshops. This town is also home to the Hay Festival, drawing approximately 80,000 writers, publishers, and literature enthusiasts from all corners of the globe here at the end of May each year.
It all began in 1961, when Richard Booth opened his second-hand bookstore in Hay, within an old fire station. He hired several strong men from the town and sent them to America to buy books, which were then shipped back to Hay-on-Wye. Over time, other libraries joined the initiative, and various methods of selling second-hand books, including shelves, shops, and more, emerged from every corner.
By the 1970s, Hay gained worldwide recognition, earning the moniker 'Town of Books'. Today, the town welcomes around 500,000 visitors annually.
Among the multitude of bookstores in Hay, what's intriguing are the so-called 'Honest Bookstores'. These establishments have nothing more than book prices displayed on the walls, often with no one attending. People simply choose books and drop money into a small box. One such establishment is located within the grounds of Hay Castle – a 12th-century fortress in the city center.
This expanded bookstore includes wooden shelves stacked against the castle walls and lined with books. Paperback books are priced at 10 pence each, and hardcovers are priced at 1 pound. There's a small box with a slot at the front and a white card reading: 'Pay here'.
Since 1988, Hay-on-Wye has hosted the annual 'Hay Festival of Literature & Arts', attracting many writers such as David Simon, Stephen Fry, Salman Rushdie, and Simon Singh. Former US President Bill Clinton described it as 'The Woodstock of the Mind'. The festival has expanded in recent years and now includes music performances and film previews.
By Van Nguyen/World Security
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Reference: Mytour Travel Handbook
MytourFebruary 7, 2018
