HowTheLightGetsIn Festival is unique in its focus on blending philosophy and ideas with music, creating an intellectually stimulating and culturally enriching experience. Here’s what sets it apart and who it appeals to:
What Makes HowTheLightGetsIn Different:
- Emphasis on Ideas and Debate: Unlike most music festivals, HowTheLightGetsIn places a strong emphasis on philosophical discussions, debates, and talks.2 It brings together leading thinkers, academics, writers, and public figures to explore a wide range of topics, from science and politics to art and culture.3
- Interdisciplinary Approach: The festival fosters dialogue across different disciplines, encouraging cross-pollination of ideas and perspectives.4 You might find a philosopher debating a scientist, an artist discussing their work with a historian, or a comedian offering a satirical take on current events.5
- Intimate and Engaging Atmosphere: While the festival attracts a significant audience, it maintains an intimate and engaging atmosphere.6 The various stages and venues are designed to facilitate close interaction between speakers and attendees, encouraging questions and discussions.7
- Blend of Music and Performance: While ideas take center stage, music and performance play an integral role in the festival experience.8 The lineup typically features a diverse range of musical genres, from classical and jazz to folk and contemporary. Comedy acts, poetry slams, and other performances add further variety to the program.9
- Unique Locations: HowTheLightGetsIn is held in two distinct locations: Hay-on-Wye in Wales and Kenwood House in London.10 Both locations offer beautiful and inspiring settings that enhance the festival experience.
Who Does HowTheLightGetsIn Appeal To?
HowTheLightGetsIn appeals to a diverse audience with a shared curiosity about the world and a passion for ideas. Here are some of the key groups who are drawn to the festival:
- Intellectually Curious Individuals: People who enjoy exploring new ideas, engaging in stimulating conversations, and challenging their own perspectives will find a welcoming home at HowTheLightGetsIn.11
- Philosophy and Ideas Enthusiasts: Those with a keen interest in philosophy, science, politics, and other intellectual pursuits will find a rich program of talks and debates to satisfy their curiosity.12
- Music and Arts Lovers: While ideas are central to the festival, music and performance play an important role.13 People who appreciate a diverse range of musical genres and artistic expressions will find plenty to enjoy.
- Open-Minded and Inquisitive Individuals: HowTheLightGetsIn attracts people who are open to new experiences and willing to engage with different perspectives. The festival fosters a spirit of open dialogue and encourages attendees to challenge their own assumptions.14
- People Seeking a Unique Festival Experience: Unlike typical music festivals, HowTheLightGetsIn offers a truly unique and enriching experience that combines intellectual stimulation with cultural entertainment.15
In essence, HowTheLightGetsIn appeals to those who seek more than just entertainment from a festival. It’s a place where ideas come to life, conversations spark, and minds expand.16
https://howthelightgetsin.org/festivals/hay
Speakers include:
Carlo Rovelli is an Italian theoretical physicist who has developed the theory of loop quantum gravity and made significant contributions to the field of relational quantum mechanics. His book ‘Seven Brief Lessons on
Physics’ has sold over a million copies, and in 2019 he was named one of the 100 most influential thinkers by Foreign Policy magazine!
Steven Pinker is the Johnstone Family Professor of Psychology at Harvard University and one of the most prominent public intellectuals of our time. He has been named as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential
People in the World Today.”
Slavoj Zizek is a globally renowned philosopher and cultural critic. His unique style of philosophy, which is often imbued with humour and political incorrectness, has gained him admirers and critics from across
the globe.
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister from 2014 to 2023, led the Scottish National Party (SNP) through historic electoral successes. A prominent advocate for Scottish independence, she also championed reforms in healthcare and education, leaving a lasting impact on Scotland’s political landscape.
Michelle Terry: Olivier-winning actress and visionary Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe. Renowned for groundbreaking productions like a gender-fluid Hamlet and a daring Richard III, Michelle redefines theatre
with her bold, modern interpretations. Her screen credits include The Café, Extras, and Law & Order: UK.
Jordan Stephens: a multi-talented artist, actor, and mental health advocate, best known as one-half of the chart-topping duo Rizzle Kicks, with hits like Down with the Trumpets.
Beyond music, Jordan is a powerful voice for men’s mental health, challenging stereotypes and promoting emotional well-being. His acting credits span TV hits like Feel Good and Catastrophe and films such as Rogue One. He’s also the author of ‘Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak,’ a raw exploration of fame and self-discovery.
Clive Myrie: acclaimed journalist, BBC World Affairs Correspondent, and trusted presenter of Mastermind. With a career spanning over 80 countries, he’s covered pivotal events from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
Beyond the newsroom, Clive has fronted powerful documentaries like Obama: His Story and The Crown Jewels. Recently appointed Chancellor of the University of the Arts London, he’s been hailed by The Guardian as “an unusually humane reporter.”
Myriam François: an award-nominated journalist, filmmaker, and writer dedicated to amplifying minority voices. As the founder of mpwr productions, she’s behind the critically acclaimed documentary Finding Alaa, which earned a place on the BAFTA longlist and multiple prestigious award nominations.
A familiar face on the BBC, Channel 4, and Al Jazeera, Myriam has also been celebrated as one of One World Media’s “filmmakers to watch.”
Paul Bloom is a renowned psychologist, bestselling author, and thought-provoking speaker. A professor at the University of Toronto and Yale University’s Brooks and Suzanne Ragen Professor Emeritus, he explores the depths of human nature—morality, pleasure, and religion—through his groundbreaking research.
Winner of the Klaus J. Jacobs Research Prize for his work on children’s moral development, Paul challenges conventional thinking in his influential book Against Empathy, advocating for reason over emotion in moral
decision-making.
Jesse Norman is a distinguished politician, author, and academic who has shaped both public service and political thought. As the MP for Hereford and South Herefordshire since 2010, he’s held key roles like Financial
Secretary to the Treasury and Minister of State for Transport, and he now serves as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons.
A Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, Jesse is also a celebrated writer, with acclaimed works including Edmund Burke: The Visionary Who Invented Modern Politics and Adam Smith: What He Thought, and Why It Matters.
Claudia de Rham is a pioneering Swiss theoretical physicist whose work is transforming our understanding of gravity and the universe.
Based at Imperial College London, she is renowned for her groundbreaking theory of massive gravity, which challenges conventional cosmology by proposing that the graviton has mass, potentially eliminating the need
for dark energy to explain the universe’s expansion. A two-time Blavatnik Award honoree, she won the prestigious prize in 2020.
“Quantum mechanics makes absolutely no sense.” So says Roger Penrose, the legendary mathematician, physicist, and Nobel Laureate. Renowned for his groundbreaking work on general relativity and black holes, he shared the Wolf Prize with Stephen Hawking for his contributions to the field. Penrose is also the author of celebrated works like The Road to Reality and Shadows of the Mind.
A gifted communicator, he’s brought the wonders of science to audiences worldwide through appearances on the BBC, Closer to Truth, and The Joe Rogan Experience.
