The Hay Festivalcelebrates its 25th anniversary this year with one of its strongest ever line-ups.

Sir Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis and Sir Terry Pratchett are among the headline names at this year’s Hay Festival.

Rushdie was forced to pull out of an Indian literary festival amid rumours of an assassination attempt Photo: AFP

By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor - The Telegraph -04 Apr 2012

Booker Prize winners Hilary Mantel, Ian McEwan and Alan Hollinghurst also feature in the line-up at Britain’s foremost literary festival, which runs from May 31 - June 10.

Rushdie will appear ahead of publication of his long-awaited memoir, which documents his years in hiding after Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini called for his death over publication of his 1988 novel The Satanic Verses.

"It's been a while since I was last at the Hay festival so I am of course very excited to be taking part, especially as this is the 25th anniversary," the author said.

His last festival date, at an event in Jaipur, India in January, was cancelled following reports of a planned assassination attempt by Islamic extremists.

Rushdie will also show clips from the forthcoming film adaptation of Midnight's Children, directed by Deepa Mehta.

Sir Terry Pratchett, creator of the Discworld novels, will discuss his career and his battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Martin Amis will talk about his latest satire, Lionel Asbo: State of England, a novel about a criminal who wins the National Lottery.
Chad Harbach, Jeanette Winterson, Lionel Shriver, William Boyd and Sue Townsend will discuss their writing careers.
Tim Minchin, the comedian and creator of Matilda the Musical, will open the festival with a concert.
Full piece at The Telegraph