Since 1988, Hay-on-Wye has been the venue for an annual literary festival, now sponsored by "The Daily Telegraph" newspaper, which draws a claimed 80,000 visitors over ten days at the end of May or beginning of June to see and hear big literary names from all over the world. Devised by Norman, Rhoda and Peter Florence in 1988, the festival was described by Bill Clinton in 2001 as "The Woodstock of the mind". Tony Benn said: "In my mind it's replaced Christmas". Peter Florence continues to be director of the Festival.