The 30th literary festival in Hay-on-Wye in Wales begins today with a programme of lectures and events with authors, artists, historians, writers, musicians, politicians and comedians.
Authors William Dalrymple and Anita Anand will be speaking about their new book Koh-i Noor: The History of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond, which is to be published next month.
The book details the history of the huge diamond, believed to have been found in the 13th century, and includes tales throughout south and central Asia and Europe of greed, murder, torture, colonialism and appropriation.
Authors William Dalrymple and Anita Anand will be speaking at Hay Festival about their new book 'Koh-i Noor: The History of the World’s Most Infamous Diamond', which is to be published next month.
The jewel was acquired by Queen Victoria in 1849, during the British conquest of the Punjab. It was then placed in the crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, which is now part of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. Its ownership has been disputed over the years by India, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Other art-related speakers during the 11-day event include artist Tracey Emin, journalist Simon Jenkins, art historians Janina Ramirez, Bettany Hughes, Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough and Khadija-von-Zinnenburg-Carroll, and Corpus Christi College Cambridge librarian Christopher de Hamel. The Hay Festival was founded in 1987 and this year runs until June 4.
For more on Indian artworks and jewellery see other ATG stories here.
