Harmony for Elephants at the Hay Festival – Kate Evans 01 June 2017

It was a real privilege to have the opportunity to talk at the 30th Hay Festival of Literature about our fundraising book Harmony for Elephants last Friday. The book is a collaboration with professional photographer Lesley Wood and incredible musicians who wrote 15 evocative pieces, which are included on an accompanying CD, capturing the African elephant. The Hay Festival is celebrating its 30^th year this year and among the famous presenters were Stephen Fry, US Senator Bernie Saunders, and Graham Norton. Having never been before it was all a new experience and I was very excited to explore when we (my family were with me) arrived on the Friday lunchtime. Having registered we were able to enjoy lunch with our friend Stephen Moss who I got to know when we filmed an episode of the BBC’s Wildest Dreams in the Okavango Delta. It was a gorgeous day in this welsh border town and having attended Stephen’s talk we explored the other venues, dropped off the copies of Harmony for Elephants at the Hay Festival bookshop (special thank you to Gareth Howell-Jones for not charging commission on sales) and enjoyed the summer sun. Being used to addressing Zoological Societies and conferences, presenting at a literature festival was way out of my comfort zone and I was nervous, to say the least. The amazing staff looked after me so well, that by the time I took to the stage I was much more relaxed and in spite of some technical issues before and during the presentation was very well received. With some very interesting and thought provoking questions. To order your copy click here. 50% of profits come to Elephants for Africa. With special thanks to Hannibal Brown Wines for sponsoring the event and to the musicians: Amanda Lehmann Andy Neve Andy Tillison Diskdrive Anna Madsen Anthony Phillips Brendan Eyre Dale Newman Nad Sylvan Nick Magnus Steve Hackett Tony Patterson