With the United Kingdom as the guest country and the participation of 107 creators from 14 countries, including Spanish-Mexican philosopher Carissa Véliz, Indian writer Kiran Desai, and Mexican singer-songwriter Vivir Quintana, the program for the Eleventh Edition of Hay Festival Querétaro 2026 was presented yesterday. The festival will take place from September 4 to 6 in Querétaro’s Historic Center and in the municipalities of Colón and Huimilpan.
During the press conference held at the Cultural Center of Spain in Mexico, Cristina Fuentes La Roche, International Director of the Hay Festival, stated:
“Culture is a necessity; stories help us understand one another, and imagination is an essential tool.”
Meanwhile, Susannah Goshko, the British Ambassador to Mexico, said that the festival seeks to become:
“A space where conversations that cross borders are born; differences enrich dialogue, and culture demonstrates its ability to connect people and build mutual understanding.”
A Program That Encourages Critical Thinking
This edition will bring together 107 participants from India, Cuba, El Salvador, Iran, Spain, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Mexico, Uganda, and Nicaragua.
Among the featured authors from the guest country, the United Kingdom, are novelist Wendy Erskine, whose work explores human relationships, and poet Nick Makoha, who reflects on memory, identity, and migration.
The festival’s musical program will feature the Santiago de Querétaro Children’s and Youth Orchestra, as well as Vivir Quintana, author of the feminist anthem Canción sin miedo, and Emmanuel del Real “Meme”, a member of Café Tacvba.
Artistic performances will take place at the City Theater, the Cineteca, and Jardín Guerrero.
Cultural Decentralization
The Hay Festival will expand its reach by including activities in the municipalities of Colón and Huimilpan.
Journalist Lydia Cacho will appear in Colón, while authors such as Rosa Beltrán and Paulina Chavira will participate in Huimilpan, reaffirming the festival’s commitment to developing new audiences from childhood through free public activities at Alameda.
The program will also explore topics including artificial intelligence (AI) ethics, democracy, feminism, and historical memory.
Carissa Véliz will examine issues of privacy and the human condition in the age of artificial intelligence, while thinkers such as Argentine philosopher Darío Sztajnszrajber and philosopher Enrique Díaz Álvarez will lead discussions on democracy.
“The Hay Festival was founded nearly 40 years ago with an optimistic belief: culture is a necessity; stories help us understand one another, and conversation builds citizenship,” said Cristina Fuentes La Roche, International Director of the festival.
Source: excelsior
