How The Light Gets In - a philosophy festival at hay

Welcome

The HowTheLightGetsIn festival was a magical ten days. It brought together philosophers, writers, academics and musicians for thought-provoking interdisciplinary debate, incisive talks and infectiously danceable music.
Visitors were challenged by the likes of Mary Midgley, Raymond Tallis, Michele le Doeuff, Will Hutton, Roger Penrose, Philip Blond, Jesse Norman, Mary Warnock, Helena Kennedy, Zygmunt Bauman, Bonnie Greer, Frank Furedi and many, many more. Check out our video highlights here.
The festival showed us that consensus across political divides is possible, that science isn’t infallible, that celebrity is out and debate is in.
To keep up-to-date with the latest festival news, sign up to our newsletter, or, for priority and discounted tickets to future festivals, become a friend.

2010 Highlights

Philosophy Sessions Live Sessions Globe Field Sessions

Ed Vaizey - A Change for Culture

A new coalition government is in place and with it a new policy for culture and the arts. Rising star and minister with responsibility for arts and broadcasting in Cameron's government, Ed Vaizey, gives his vision of the future of culture in Britain. And you have your chance to call the new coalition to account.

Watch Now

Struggling to be Human

Eminent sociologist Zygmunt Bauman talks to Frank Furedi about the transformation of our dreams of progress into a lust for escape and survival. Described by The Guardian as 'the most influential sociologist working in Europe', Zygmunt Bauman has a talent for speaking differently. A major inspiration to the anti-globalisation movement, he is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Leeds.

Watch Now

Man Like Me

Unofficial cool kids about town Man Like Me are best known for crossing musical boundaries. Fresh from supporting Hot Chip and Lady Sovereign with a full brass section, the carnavalesque kings' brazen lyrics revel in the realities, perks and calamities of life as a young Londoner. With a full brass section included in their live shows, the boys have played everywhere from Glastonbury to Bestival.

Watch Now

Laura Dockrill

The Times calls sensational spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill, aka Dockers MC, one of the UK's top literary talents. The 22-year old, raised by arty parents in south London, is the first performance poet to graduate from London's Brit School, famous for spawning chart-toppers Amy Winehouse, Adele and Kate Nash. She has wowed audiences from Latitude to Edinburgh, Glastonbury to Reading.

'Everyone's falling for Laura Dockrill' Vogue

Watch Now

	The Return of the Eton Mob Toby Young How is it that Britain finds itself once again with an Old Etonian Prime Minister? Toby Young looks back at his own time at Oxford as a contemporary of David Cameron's and tries to understand why the English class system has proved so robust in spite of 13 years of Labour rule. Watch Now
	Plato and Erotic Love Angie Hobbs Many would argue that 'Platonic Love' has a lot to answer for. But they would be ignoring the true Plato, whose conception of erotic love is not for the faint hearted! Warwick Professor Angie Hobbs takes us on a tour of the Republic of lurve. 'Superb' Nigel Warburton Coming Soon