The Bradford Literature Festival is set to captivate audiences this summer with an impressive roster of literary and cultural figures, per thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. Renowned personalities such as Miriam Margolyes OBE, Shaparak Khorsandi, Corrine Bailey Rae, Dame Mary Beard, and Ruby Wax OBE are among the headliners for the event, which runs from June 28 to July 7.
Spanning a vast array of topics from faith and music to history and literature, the festival will host over 500 events throughout the city. Despite a number of events already selling out, including a talk with award-winning poet Lemn Sissay, a walking tour of historic crime scenes, and baby yoga sessions, there are still tickets available for a myriad of exciting talks, debates, and exhibitions.
Highlights include Bradford native Saima Mir discussing her latest novel, and a unique conversation between former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and trade unionist Len McCluskey on poetry. Comedy fans can look forward to Sara Pascoe, known for her appearances on Live at the Apollo and The Great British Sewing Bee, who will discuss her debut novel “Weirdo” with Kasim Ali.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy “Life in the League,” where Bradford Bulls’ Ian Stafford will explore the lives of rugby league icons Robbie Hunter-Paul and Ikram Butt. For those interested in spirituality, popular vicar Kate Bottley will return to Bradford to share insights from her book, “Have A Little Faith.”
The festival also addresses global and historical issues. Matthew Teller will lead an event on the history of Jerusalem, while other sessions will delve into the legacies of the British Mandate in Palestine and the current state of the United Nations.
Local history is also a focal point, with tours exploring Bradford’s Jewish heritage in Manningham and a historical journey to Thornton village led by Brontë enthusiast Christa Ackroyd.
Additional events include performances by stand-up poet Kate Fox, a traditional Urdu Mushaira poetry session, and a showcase of local Romani and Traveller artists. Renowned photographer Ian Beesley will also present a retrospective of his work documenting industrial Bradford over the past 45 years.
With such a diverse program, the Bradford Literature Festival promises to be a significant cultural event, offering something for everyone and celebrating the rich tapestry of literature and culture.
•Featured image: Some of the names on the Bradford Lit Festival line-up/PA/archive
