Event organisers around the world are fast realising that while online must be different, it need not be second-rate, and in fact opens up the possibility of engagement on a literally global scale

September 2-7 will see the Hay Festival Querétaro in Mexico take place online this year, and the organisers are seeing this as a big opportunity, not a second rate substitute.

Guests will include Gael García Bernal, Clara Grima, and Ruby Wax as part of a,

vast program of free online activities for all ages, thus adapting to the new normal and opening its digital program for free for people in Mexico and all over the world.

A media statement added,

Hay Festival is interested in expanding the conversation to everyone through the digital platforms that will allow it to reach spectators and interact with the participants via online through Q&A sessions and social media.

Details will be announced on August 4, and spectators can register in advance here.

Via El Universal.

With the Covid-19 pandemic showing no sign of slowing, and meaningful impact from any vaccine that may materialise unlikely to make any difference to this year’s global literary calendar, events like Hay Festival Querétaro are not just making the best of a bad situation, but rising to the opportunity to fleece the cloud’s silver lining.

Any in-person book fair or literary festival is by definition limited by the venue capacity and the ability of participants to afford or otherwise be able to be there on the day.

Event organisers around the world are fast realising that while online must be different, it need not be second-rate, and in fact opens up the possibility of engagement on a literally global scale.

At some point the pandemic will recede or be vaccinated out of existence or we’ll all learn to live with it, in the same way we live with other communicable diseases, and in-person events will once again be part of our daily lives.

But we can safely say the digital element of these events will continue to happen alongside, and as organisers get their act together and explore the revenue-raising opportunities arising, will become a lucrative addition to the event platforms.

Hay Festival Querétaro is part of the Hay Festival’s Spanish-language projects that currently encompases Spain, Mexico, Colombia and Peru.

Follow on twitter: @hayfestival_esp