Making Hay While the Sun Shines

The Hay Festival of Literature and Books started in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye in 1988 and has spread to locations all around the world. It is dubbed ‘the Woodstock of the Mind’ a well-deserved moniker in my opinion.?

Last week I was invited to present at Hay Segovia, held every September in one of Spain’s most beautiful and historic cities. It is a remarkable gathering of authors, thinkers, poets, scientists, journalists, architects, economists etc. There was even an Oxford mathematician this year, Marcus DuSautoy, whose work examines, among other things, the quantitative underpinnings of? the arts. His book on the subject, Blueprints, will be out later this year from Harper Collins.?

I had the honor of presenting 2 programs based on my most recent books, How Women Rise and Rising Together, both now available in Spanish from Ediciones Urano. I was joined onstage first by Marta Williams, founder of Amazing Women in Madrid, and then by Stephen Adamson of IE Business School and Vera Bercowitz of Forbes Women Espa?a.

The gathering in Segovia provided non-stop inspiration and festivity, along with opportunities to meet stellar authors from Spain, UK, and beyond. Events were spread out around the town, enabling us to see the sites, including a colossal Roman aqueduct, medieval neighborhoods and churches, Islamic gardens, Renaissance palaces, and a stunning castle-fortress that looks as if it inspired the Disney logo– which it did.

My sister Cece Helgesen also presented at the festival. The founding director of StoryJam Europe, which offers master classes, coaching, and live storytelling events, she talked about why storytelling is so powerful and shared techniques for telling stories with impact.

Cece and I found the festival a non-stop delight, and took full advantage of the constant round of events, lunches, and dinners, often along the beautiful plaza Juan Bravo. We especially enjoyed talking to the IE students who participated in our events and asked thoughtful questions. Gen Z should fill us all with hope.

I deeply appreciate Sheila Cremaschi’s work as the Director of Hay Segovia.? She has developed a program worthy of both the Hay tradition and this magnificent World Heritage site.?

Like what you’re reading? Click here to order my most recent book?Rising Together , or How Women Rise , both are available from Amazon or from your favorite bookseller.