Bradford Literature Festival celebrates a decade of events

Syima Aslam, CEO and Artistic Director of BLF, expresses her enthusiasm for this landmark year: “I am delighted to welcome you to attend the 10th anniversary edition of the literature festival, which will feature our signature variety of events designed to inspire and excite all ages and backgrounds.”

This year's festival will explore a variety of compelling themes, including AI and climate change, poetry and politics, and global historical narratives. The programme also features annual favourites such as Lyrical Mehfil, an Evening of Comedy, Northern Noir at the Bar, and of course Brontë events, as well as a selection of exhibitions and the beautiful annual closing event Sacred Music at Bradford Cathedral.

Performing at St George’s Hall, for the Sufiana Kalaam event, is the Orchestral Qawwali Project, who made their debut at Bradford Literature Festival in 2021. Made up of composer and arranger, Rushil Ranjan, and singer, Abi Sampa, they have found a unique new way to frame the deep reverence and spiritual rapture associated with qawwali. Fresh from their sell out Royal Albert Hall performance, this is an experience not to be missed.

Daily ‘Lunch bite’ events take place in the Festival Hub on City Park each weekday, with topics varying from the Watergate scandal to Bradford’s haunted history, perfect for a lunch break.

Families are in for a treat with 4 free Family Fun Days in City Park, offering a range of engaging workshops, craft activities and performances to delight children of all ages. This year’s Family Fun Day themes are Magical Mayhem, Treemendous Tales, Fantastic Folktales, and Superhero Spectacular, with storytelling, street performers and a story seekers trail which runs from Broadway Bradford to City Park. These events are different each Saturday and Sunday ensuring there is something new for everyone to enjoy each day of the weekend.

Sir Richard Lambert, Chair of the Board, reflects on the festival's journey: “We’ve come a long way since our first festival ten years ago. Back then, it was held over a weekend with just 25 events and audiences of 900. By 2015 we were starting to motor ahead to the point that last year there were 678 events to enjoy, with the audiences numbering way above even our most ambitious expectations at more than 116,000 people.”

Lambert highlights BLF's commitment to accessibility and diversity: “Right from that modest start, the BLF has been built on the belief that culture, literature, and education have the power to change lives and communities. We are determined to be leaders in social inclusion and accessibility; we are the largest diversity-led cultural organisation in the country; and our goal is to deliver exceptional arts and cultural experiences for national and international audiences as well as for our all-important local communities.”

BLF’s annual Creative Economic Conference prefaces the main festival on June 27 at the University of Bradford. The conference will bring together influential figures from business, politics, and the creative industries to discuss how these sectors can collaborate to drive innovation and economic growth. It promises to be a thought-provoking day of panel discussions and talks, aimed at fostering visionary thinking and regional development.

BLF is deeply committed to ensuring that everyone can participate in its events, regardless of financial means. Lambert is particularly proud of the festival's pioneering `Ethical Ticketing Policy: “Last year, 85% of our audiences took advantage of our ethical ticketing policy, which means events are free for people who would otherwise not be able to attend.”

Aslam echoes this commitment: “Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to provide a platform for marginalised voices that might otherwise go unheard. Our low ticket price, concessions and free events for families demonstrate our continued dedication to our audiences. From the outset, BLF’s aim was to create a tangible difference; to raise aspirations and literacy levels, in Europe’s youngest city, by creating an international destination literature festival that would inspire the next generation, both in Bradford and across the UK.”

As Bradford gears up to be the UK City of Culture in 2025, this year's Bradford Literature Festival sets the stage for an extraordinary period of cultural celebration. Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of a transformative and inspiring festival that celebrates the power of words to unite and uplift.

For more information and to book your tickets, visit: bradfordlitfest.co.uk