As a small town on the border of Wales and England, Hay-on-Wye is one of the places that is fascinated by the “nerd” team around the world. Not only loved for the peaceful, peaceful atmosphere of a border town, Hay-on-Wye is also a place where you can find books everywhere.
How did Hay-on-Wye become a “book town”?
Formerly, Hay-on-Wye was a small, underdeveloped town, with a population of only nearly 2,000. In 1961, town resident Mr. Booth turned a local fire station into a second-hand bookstore.
After opening this small bookstore, Mr. Booth purchased books from used libraries in the US, then moved to the town of Hay-on-Wye. At that time, he bought all kinds of books there because he believed that each book had its own value and that someone would definitely need them.
This seemingly “crazy” plan makes the residents of the town of Hay-on-Wye excited and participate. They set up bookstores, opened bookstores and countless unique book displays in every corner of town. And by 1970, this small town had more than 40 large bookstores and was called by many visitors the name “book town”.
Hay-on-Wye and interesting things
Among the series of bookstores large and small in the town of Hay-on-Wye, the chain “Honest Bookstore” emerges as the strangest and most interesting bookstore. These bookstores are simply small bookshelves that are erected by the wall and are often left unattended. When you come here and choose a book for yourself, you just put money in the small mailboxes next to it and leave.
In the town of Hay-on-Wye, there is also a bookshop on the grounds of Hay Castle, a fortress located in the center of town and built in the 12th century. Just wooden shelves lined up right at the castle’s walls. radio, they have “opened” a rather special small bookstore. Prices here are also very affordable, only about 10 cents for paperback books and 1 pound for hardcover books. After choosing a book, the buyer will drop money into a small box placed in front with a white slot that says “Pay here”.
Besides becoming a much-loved “book town”, since 1988, every year at the end of May, the town of Hay-on-Wye has hosted a good Literature Festival. This is an opportunity for authors, publishers or book lovers from all over the world to visit and enjoy good books. In particular, in recent years, this festival has been expanded, in addition to books, there are also many special music performances and film screenings.
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