A WELCOME FROM OUR CHAIR

At the core of our efforts lie the people of Bradford and our dedication to fostering a sense of community through a shared love of words and music. Our ethical ticketing policy makes the events open to everyone, whatever their background. And this isn’t just a once-a-year effort. Our community and family programmes run all through the year and are designed to be accessible to everyone, with our education and young people’s programmes offered free of charge.

A warm welcome to this, the ninth Bradford Literature Festival. As you will see from this programme, our mission is unlike that of any other such event in the UK both in the breadth of its contributions and in the range of subjects on offer. We aim to reach the widest possible audience here in Bradford and further afield, and to encourage the kind of debates and discussions that go a long way beyond what you might expect at a conventional literary festival.

As you will see, the events cover a very wide range of topics – delving into history, poetry, world politics, Windrush, Bollywood and much more. As well as connecting Bradford to the world, we want to bring the world to Bradford and encourage people from around the region and well beyond to visit this remarkable city, and learn something of its rich history and its dynamic present-day story.

I hope you will be as excited as I am by what you read in these pages, which tell a story of what will be ten very enjoyable and exhilarating summer days.

Sir Richard Lambert Chair of BLF Board

DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

emergency, and our signature Literature Unlocked free Family Fun Days. Our distinguished guests, including Sir Lenny Henry, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, Angela Rayner MP, Shaykh Al-Yaqoubi, Anita Rani, Sir Michael Palin, Rana Ayuub, and Adam Kay, among so many others, will share their insights and expertise, delighting audiences and broadening perspectives.

I am delighted to welcome you to the ninth annual Bradford Literature Festival (BLF), an extraordinary ten-day journey featuring over 500 events for adults and children alike.

This year, BLF brings together an exceptional array of creative minds from around the globe, curating a programme that is eclectic, thought-provoking, and inspiring. With offerings ranging from astropolitics and Shakespeare to philosophy and technology, our diverse and expansive line-up truly has something for everyone. The festival is a celebration of the human experience, inviting you to delve into the realms of literature, poetry, politics, science, history and so much more.

Our 2023 edition showcases the very best of global, regional, and local artistic talent, offering engaging discussions, insightful talks, electrifying performances, neverbefore-seen commissions, premieres, and immersive experiences.

BLF presents a unique opportunity to explore our ever-changing world, this year encompassing topics as wide-ranging as the Ottoman Empire, global feminism, the climate

Now more than ever in a cost-of-living crisis, our ethical ticketing policy and free events for families demonstrate our continued dedication to our audiences. BLF was founded on the core principle there should be no financial or social barrier to experiencing cultural excellence. Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud to provide a platform for marginalized voices that might otherwise go unheard.

Alongside the events you will find in this brochure, our hallmark free education programme returns for 2023, featuring 14 full days of events to delight and inspire thousands of young learners from across West Yorkshire.

None of this work would be possible without the generous support of our sponsors and funders, including Arts Council England, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Free Word, Peter Sowerby Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the University of Bradford, Bradford City Council, Pears Foundation, Baillie Gifford, NHS Bradford District & Craven Healthcare Trust, Better Start Bradford, and Burberry. We are so grateful for your support.

We invite you to join us for ten days of discovery, in celebration of diversity, empathy, and artistic excellence. We can’t wait to welcome you to Bradford!

Syima Aslam CEO & Artistic Director