Hay prepares to welcome writers and book-lovers to its literary festival

Violet Jenkins, a bookshop assistant, preparing for business yesterday as one of the world's biggest literary festivals, sponsored this year for the first time by the Independent and Independent on Sunday, begins at Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh border. Today, and over the coming 10 days, some of the finest writers and performers will come together for discussions and readings.

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