L A T I G DI E M M A R G O PR 0 2 0 2
FREE & ON DEMAND WWW.BRADFORDLITFEST.CO.UK #BRADFORDLITFEST
BRADFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2020 DIGITAL PROGRAMME
SPONSORS & FUNDERS Title Partner
Key Partners
Funded By
Supported By
Legal Partner Â
Book Partner
CULTURAL PARTNERS
With thanks to all our Sponsors, Funders and Cultural Partners whose dedicated support has made the Bradford Literature Festival 2020 Digital Programme possible.
CONTENTS
Director's Welcome
6
Pre-festival Events
8
Main Festival Events
12
Writing & Publishing Selection
34
Poetry Selection
36
BLF Book Club
38
BLF Poetry Club
39
Events For Schools & Families
40
6
BRADFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2020
DIRECTOR'S WELCOME
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IT IS MY GREAT PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TO THE BRADFORD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2020 DIGITAL PROGRAMME. When we are unable to meet in person, it is words that have the power to bring us together, allow us to share our stories and ideas, inspire reflection and create empathy between us. The BLF programme always seeks to create understanding and to open doors. I hope that this year’s programme will also transport you; across time and space with ‘Christopher Eccleston and Lemn Sissay in Conversation’, across the Atlantic with rapper Lowkey to meet inspirational Minneapolis Congresswoman, Ilhan Omar, and back to 19thCentury Haworth, to engage with ‘Anne Bronte: In Her Own Words’. In these exceptional times, it is more important than ever to remember that it is words that have the power to shape new narratives and create new realities. We look forward to welcoming you to the live festival again soon, in the meantime welcome to the wonderful (digital) world of words. Syima Aslam Festival Director
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COVID-19 FUNDRAISER:
UK/US POETS TOGETHER
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH On Saturday 9th May, we hosted a very special transatlantic night of poetry via Instagram Live, raising money for Bradford Hospitals Charity here in the UK and Food Bank for New York City in the USA. Hosted by Carlos Andres Gomez and featuring UK poets Nadine Aisha Jassat, Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa, Joelle Taylor, Nikita Gill and Ian McMillan alongside US poet Mahogany L. Browne, this incredible night of poetry is now available to view on demand.
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THE BIG BOOK WEEKEND:
RESIST: STORIES OF UPRISING
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH The anthology Resist: Stories of Uprising charts two thousand years of British resistance, from Boudica to Blair Peach, from the Battle of Cable Street to the protests after the Grenfell Tower Fire. This panel, brought together in May as part of the Big Book Weekend, examines the history of women’s rebellion in Britain, by focusing on three works from the collection covering Boudica, the Ford Dagenham Women’s Strike, and Seeds of Hope. Now available on-demand, the discussion is moderated by Joelle Taylor, who hitched a ride to the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp from her home in Lancashire as a teenager and features panellists and contributors, Bidisha, Luan Goldie and Zoe Lambert.
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THE RESTLESS DEAD: VAMPIRES, ZOMBIES & GHOSTS
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH Medieval ruins have long inspired the ghostly literary imagination. Perhaps most famously, the shell of the magnificent 13th-century church at Whitby Abbey provided an atmospheric backdrop to chilling scenes in Bram Stoker's Dracula, the vampire novel par excellence. But elements of Stoker's story of the blood-sucking Transylvanian count have historical antecedents from across medieval Europe, evidence of which is buried in the histories of English Heritage sites in northern England. Excavations at Wharram Percy revealed skeletons with their heads removed, likely ritual mutilation to prevent the dead rising from their graves to trouble the living. Monastic chroniclers documented the horrific deeds perpetrated by Satanic corpses during the hours of darkness. Twelve chilling ghost stories written by a monk of Byland Abbey at the turn of the 15th-century show that protection against the restless dead was provided by saying the name of Christ, crucifixes and holy relics. Join Dr Michael Carter, Senior Properties Historian for English Heritage in this talk exploring the ghastly, gory, gothic history of some of the North's most fascinating locations.
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ILHAN OMAR
IN CONVERSATION WITH
LOWKEY
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH Ilhan Omar represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. The first Somali-American Member of Congress, the first woman of colour to represent Minnesota, and one of the first two Muslim-American women elected to Congress. Born in Mogadishu, Omar and her family fled war-torn Somalia and spent four years in a Kenyan refugee camp before securing asylum in the U.S. and arriving in New York in 1995. In this unique conversation with rapper and activist Lowkey, Omar will discuss her own incredible story and how the challenges, trauma and fear she has faced have shaped her political life, alongside her autobiography This Is What America Looks Like: My Journey from Refugee to Congresswoman. Join Omar and Lowkey as they explore American idealism and identity, liberation movements and advocating for the rights of the people, and why Omar’s presence in US politics commands confrontation from the establishment, despite which, Omar continues to believe in the potential for change within the US political system.
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IN CONVERSATION WITH
SHAYKH ABDAL HAKIM MURAD
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IN CONVERSATION: CLICK HERE TO WATCH Q&A: CLICK HERE TO WATCH In these two events, the first a conversation and the second a Q&A with questions from our audiences at home, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad discusses his new book Travelling Home: Essays on Islam in Europe. Here he dissects the rise of Islamophobia on the basis of Muslim theological tradition. Murad argues that although the proper response to the current impasse is clearly indicated in Qur’an and Hadith, some have lost the principle of trust in divine wisdom and are responding with hatred, fearfulness or despair. Murad believes that a compassion-based approach, rooted in an authentic theology of divine power, could transform the current quagmire into a bright landscape of great promise for Muslims and their neighbours. Travelling Home: Essays on Islam in Europe describes how everywhere, the far right is on the march, with nationalist and populist parties thriving on the back of popular anxieties about Islam and the Muslim presence, and asks: how should we react to the new Islamophobic movements now spreading in the West? Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad will be in conversation with journalist, Remona Aly.
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THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LITERATURE:
ON THE SAME PAGE
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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN Throughout 2020, as part of their bicentenary celebrations, the Royal Society of Literature have curated a special series of conversations. On The Same Page brings together RSL Fellows who would not normally share a stage, to discuss the role of the writer in uncertain political times. Broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and now available on demand, tune in for a conversation with Tahmima Anam and Ian Rankin, who were both elected as Fellows in 2016. Tahmima is a Bangladesh-born British anthropologist and novelist. Her debut novel, A Golden Age, was winner of the 2008 Commonwealth Writers Prize for Best First Book. Ian Rankin is a Scottish novelist and has received an OBE for services to literature. His Rebus series has been translated into 22 languages. This is a Royal Society of Literature event in partnership with Bradford Literature Festival and was originally planned to take place as part of the 2020 festival. Due to Coronavirus, RSL have collaborated with BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking to adapt three episodes of On the Same Page for broadcast. All episodes will be available on the BBC Arts and Ideas podcast.
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THE FAMILY TREE IN CONVERSATION WITH
SAIRISH HUSSAIN
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH Sairish Hussain is an author who was born and brought up in Bradford. Her debut novel The Family Tree follows the stories of Amjaad and his children Saahil and Zahra, after his wife, their mother, dies shortly after Zahra is born. Described as “the moving story of a British Muslim family - full of love, laughter and resilience, as well as the faults, mistakes and stubborn loyalties which make us human”, Sairish’s book explores social and political as well as domestic themes. In conversation with Festival Director, Syima Aslam, Sairish discusses the plot and themes of The Family Tree, her sources of inspiration and her own journey as a writer.
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IN CONVERSATION WITH
KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE
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CONVERSATION:Â CLICK HERE TO WATCH Q&A: CLICK HERE TO WATCH
In these two events, the first a conversation and the second a Q&A with questions from our audiences at home, Kiran Millwood Hargrave discusses the Gothic world of her debut novel for young adults, The Deathless Girls. Written as a prequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the book marries the classic Gothic milieu with very contemporary themes such as representation of marginalised communities, LGBTQ relationships, feminism and friendship. Gothic, intoxicating, feminist and romantic - this is the breathtakingly imagined untold story of the brides of Dracula. You may be interested in more events from our Digital programme for Schools & Families - see page 40.
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SHAAM-EGHAZAL
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH Our annual international mushaira, hosted in partnership with the Yorkshire Adabee Forum, has been mesmerising and delighting festival audiences since the very beginning. A beloved part of North Indian, Pakistani and Deccan culture for over three centuries, the mushaira is an intellectual forum, showcasing the most talented and innovative Urdu-speaking poets. This year, from the comfort of your own home, explore the rich cultural heritage of the Urdu language with the brightest stars of Urdu poetry. Join Ambareen Haseeb Ambar, Hameeda Shaheen and Tehzeeb Hafi from Pakistan, Tahir Faraz from India, Atif Tauqeer from Germany and Ghazal Ansari and Ishtiaq Mir from the UK for an unforgettable event.
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OMID SAFI: RE-DISCOVERING RUMI
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH He’s one of the best selling poets in America, with 1.7 million followers on facebook, the darling of Instagram influencers and has inspired celebrities from Madonna to Jay-Z. He’s also a 13th century mystic, variously described as a “Sufi”, “a Saint” and a “scholar”; less often as a Muslim whose very name Jalāl ad-Dīn Rūmī - Rumi to many who know him today - means Glory of the Faith (Jalal-ad-Din). Rumi’s epic poem The Mathnavi, from which the internet one-liners spring, is also know as the Persian Qur’an. So who was Rumi and what were the sources of his inspiration? And is the poetry we love in English truly reflective of his message? Join Dr. Omid Saafi from Duke University for our annual Rumi lecture to understand the man behind the message of transformation This is a wonderful opportunity for those new to his work, as well as long-standing followers, to reacquaint themselves with the beauty that lies at the heart of Rumi’s poetry.
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CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON IN CONVERSATION WITH
LEMN SISSAY
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH Known for roles in award-winning shows such as Our Friends in the North and Dr Who, as well as films like 28 Days Later and Gone in 60 Seconds, Christopher Eccleston is one of the UK's best loved stars of stage and screen. Lemn Sissay MBE is a BAFTA nominated International prize-winning author, poet and playwright. Roles such as the official poet of the London 2012 Olympics have solidified Sissay as one of Britains most recognisable poetic voices. Both Eccleston and Sissay were born and raised in working class households in the north of England in the 1960's. Eccleston's autobiography I Love the Bones of You and Sissay's My Name Is Why were both published to critical acclaim in 2019. Here we present a unique insight into the lives and experiences of two of our most loved and respected Northern artists, both of whom have overcome great hardship and join us here to tell their stories.
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ANNE BRONTË: IN HER OWN WORDS
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH The Brontë sisters - Emily, Charlotte and Anne - are often talked about in one breath without considering their own unique personalities. Anne Brontë's work, which included novels Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, address feminist issues that are still subject to debate and discussion today. But what do these novels tell us about Anne herself, and do her poems and letters reveal more? In this panel discussion, chaired by Bidisha, Brontë experts Adelle Hay, Samantha Ellis and Marianne Thormählen look at what we can learn about the 'real' Anne Brontë as a writer and as a woman.
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THE EMERALD DEBATES SERIES:
THE FUTURE OF THE NORTH
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CLICK HERE TO WATCH Over the past twelve months, Britain has navigated an increasingly toxic Brexit debate, the third general election in four years, and most recently, a response to the Covid-19 pandemic which has upended society, the economy, and the political agenda – and at times, further highlighted fundamental inequalities between London and the Northern region. Now, with unemployment nationally at record highs, the Chancellor of the Exchequer warning of the possibility of an unparalleled recession postCovid, and the Brexit transition date set to end in just 6 months’ time, there is a real danger that the wider public and business discourse on the accelerating positive changes needed for strong economy in the North will lose momentum and direction. Our expert panel asks – in these uncertain and challenging times, what is the case for the devolution of economic powers to the UK regions? How can the different UK regions inspire, drive and retain economic growth now and for the future? And how can a post-Covid recovery, and post-Brexit realignment, ensure that investment, opportunities for businesses and jobs prospects can be enhanced beyond the South-East England, particularly for the North?
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WRITING & PUBLISHING SELECTION A selection of events originally created as part of our Digital Programme for Schools and Families but which may also be of interest to wider audiences. These events are funded by The Emerald Foundation.
GOTHIC ON FILM WITH COLIN MCCRACKEN CLICK HERE TO VIEW A unique visual presentation featuring archive footage, clips and trailers exploring the importance of gothic literature in modern life, and asking why it is that the genre's popularity endures today. FLASH FICTION WITH KATY DARBY CLICK HERE TO VIEW Funded by:
This short workshop introduces flash fiction, a very short form of storytelling with anything between 5 and 1,500 words, and includes tips and tricks to get started on your own story. ANNE BRONTE AND THE GOTHIC: WRITING WORKSHOP WITH MICHAEL STEWART CLICK HERE TO VIEW Using The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as a starting point, this workshop introduces the Gothic genre with hints and tips on how to write your own Gothic tale.Â
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ONE WAY OUT WITH A.A.DHAND CLICK HERE TO VIEW Bradford author A.A.Dhand introduces his bestselling thriller One Way Out complete with a short reading from the opening chapter.
WRITE WHERE YOU ARE WITH A.A.DHAND CLICK HERE TO VIEW Dhand explores the rich source of inspiration found in his home town and discusses how the place where you live can inspire your own writing.
WRITE YOUR OWN STORY WITH A.A.DHAND CLICK HERE TO VIEW Tips and tricks for how to get started writing your own story set in the streets where you live.
Please note: as part of our Secondary Age Programme for Schools & Families, the competitions linked to these events are only open to young people aged 11-19.
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POETRY SELECTION
A selection of events created as part of our Digital Programme for Schools and Families but which may also be of interest to wider audiences. These events were funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation as part of our Secondary Age Poetry Day.
POETRY & IMAGERY WORKSHOP WITH ANTHONY ANAXAGOROU | CLICK HERE TO VIEW Award-winning poet Anthony Anaxagorou explores how to create effective imagery in poetry and encourages you to pick up a pen and get writing.
FINDING YOUR INNER VOICE IN VERSE WITH FARAH CHAMMA | CLICK HERE TO VIEW Funded by:
In between performances of her own work, Palestinian spoken word poet Farah Chamma discusses how to express yourself through poetry. POETRY ON YOUR TERMS WITH CARLOS ANDRES GOMEZ | CLICK HERE TO VIEW Featuring performances of his award-winning poetry, Carlos Andres Gomez shares his experiences of breaking down the traditional 'rules' of poetry and the importance of finding your own style.
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SLAM & SPOKEN WORD POETRY WITH JOANNA HOFFMAN | CLICK HERE TO VIEW Veteran New York slam poet Joanna Hoffman discusses her journey through poetry in between performances of her own work.
HOMER TO HIP HOP WITH PETER BEARDER | CLICK HERE TO VIEW National Poetry Slam Champion Peter Bearder explores the history of wordsmiths, from ballad singers and Beat poets to the icons of dub, punk and hip hop. YORKSHIRE POETRY WITH NADINE AISHA JASSAT | CLICK HERE TO VIEW Funded by:
Yorkshire poet Nadine Aisha Jassat discusses the importance of voice and point of view in poetry and provides tips and tricks on how to write poetry in your own voice.
Please note: as part of our Secondary Age Programme for Schools & Families, the competitions linked to these events are only open to young people aged 11-19.
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JOIN THE CLUB:
#BLFBOOKCLUB Whether you're an avid bibliophile searching for a new bookish adventure, or a part-time reader just looking for suggestions, everyone is welcome at the BLF Book Club. Each month we explore a selected piece of fiction taken from the BBC Arts list ‘100 Novels That Shaped Our World’. Look out for very special Guest Hosts, friends of the festival who will pop up from time to time to take you through their pick for the month. Members of the #BLFBookClub can even enjoy 10% discount off each month's book courtesy of Waterstones Bradford. How To Take Part Click here to join the group on Facebook Read along on Twitter and Instagram by searching the hashtag #BLFBookClub
JUNE: THE ROAD BY CORMAC MCCARTHY | CLICK HERE TO VIEW Our very first Guest Host, author Michael Stewart, discusses his June selection, The Road by Cormac McCarthy. JULY: NOUGHTS & CROSSES BY MALORIE BLACKMAN| WEDNESDAY 29TH JULY VIA FACEBOOK LIVE Poet and author Dean Atta discusses his July pick Noughts & Crosses by Malorie Blackman.
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JOIN THE CLUB:
#BLFPOETRYCLUB JULY: EVERYONE KNOWS I AM A HAUNTING BY SHIVANEE RAMLOCHAN| CLICK HERE TO VIEW Poet Nadine Aisha Jassat discusses her July pick Everyone Knows I Am a Haunting by shivanee Ramlochan.
Welcome to Poetry Club - a space for poetry lovers, poetry amateurs and the poetry curious. Each month we'll welcome a different Poetry Club Curator who will introduce you to the work of their favourite poet or collection. Our Curators could be poets themselves, or perhaps they'll be writers, musicians, artists, scientists or personalities. Join us for a journey of discovery as we explore the work of poets old and new. How To Take Part Click here to join the group on Facebook Read along on Twitter and Instagram by searching the hashtag #BLFPoetryClub
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EVENTS FOR SCHOOLS & FAMILIES HAVE FUN WHILST LEARNING!
Under normal circumstances, the Bradford Literature Festival Schools Programme welcomes students from across the city to take part in a series of day-long literary celebrations, each following a particular theme. Of course, these are not normal circumstances, and so our hugely popular programme will take place online inviting not just schools but also families to join us for fun, free, educational digital ‘events’ available on demand from the comfort of your home or classroom. Split into activity for both Primary age (5-11) and Secondary age (11 – 18) children, look out for age-range guidance, clearly stated at the top of each event listing. Age ranges reflect National Curriculum content but may also be enjoyed by older or younger children at teacher/parent discretion. Each ‘day’ of activity comes complete with specialised resources for teachers and parents, giving you everything you need to create a fun and educational day of activity whether at home or at school. Featuring inspirational writers and performers from Bradford and beyond, including everything from talks and readings with your favourite writers to interactive performances and creative workshops, we hope you and your children will have fun learning with our 2020 Programme for Schools & Families.
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REGISTER FOR THE 2021 SCHOOLS PROGRAMME We are already taking bookings for the 2021 Live Schools Programme which will take place at venues such as the University of Bradford, St George's Hall and City Park. Each Schools Day is specially tailored toward keystage specific National Curriculum objectives with a focus on interactivity and enjoyment. Attendance is FREE for schools in Bradford. For more information and to register your interest, contact us at:
SCHOOLS@BRADFORDLITFEST.CO.UK
COMPETITIONS! No BLF schools event is complete without the opportunity to win an amazing bundle of books! Underneath each of our events is a creative competition reflecting the skills children have worked on that day. To browse all of our specially created competition packs, just click here.
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PRIMARY AUTHOR EVENTS FOR AGES 5-11+ This series of exciting author-based events, featuring your favourite writers from the UK and beyond, has been funded by The Pears Foundation and follows the theme of everyone’s favourite childhood story – Peter Pan by JM Barrie. Expect tales of pirates, fairies, crocodiles and more as we journey toward the “second star to the right, and straight on till morning”, transporting children aged 5-11 all the way to Neverland. Look out for our handy resource packs for teachers and parents, available on each event webpage. Funded by:
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FROM NEVERLAND TO ELLA ENCHANTED WITH GAIL CARSON LEVINE
THE PIRATE CRUNCHER WITH JONNY DUDDLE
DRAW ALONG WITH JONNY DUDDLE
FOR AGES 5-9+
FOR AGES 5-8+
FOR AGES 7-11+
Join acclaimed children’s author Gail Carson Levine (Ella Enchanted) on a magical adventure. Gail will read from her Peter Paninspired children’s book Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg, and her favourite section of JM Barrie’s classic novel, before having a chat with poet Jo Brandon about all things magic, fairies, and Peter Pan.
Yo ho ho and welcome to this very special event with author Jonny Duddle, as he reads from his debut children's book The Pirate Cruncher, following a scurvy crew on the hunt for an island of gold... with lots of twists and turns along the way!
Author and illustrator Jonny Duddle will show budding artists how to draw a fearsome, hookhanded pirate, give a quick glimpse at a treasure map, and share some of his top tips for creating your very own illustrations in this wonderful workshop finer than any you’ll find, anywhere in the Seven Seas.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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PRIMARY AUTHOR EVENTS Funded by:
A SHORT HISTORY OF PIRATES WITH CAPTAIN DAN TASTIC
TALK LIKE A PIRATE WITH CAPTAIN DAN TASTIC
CRAFTY CREATIONS: MAKE A CROCODILE WITH MORWENNA CATT
FOR AGES 9-11+
FOR AGES 5-9+
FOR AGES 5-11+
Join Captain Dan Tastic, for a swashbuckling adventure to the 17th Century where he'll discuss all things pirate!
In this fun and educational session, Captain Dan Tastic will share the history behind pirate lingo, teach you exactly how to roll your rrrs for a proper "arrrgh", and answer the age old question - what exactly is a poop deck?!
Join artist Morwenna Catt for this craft session using materials you're likely to have at home.
Learn the special names for the different parts of the ship, find out why pirate weapons weren’t always very effective, and hear about the world’s most famous historical pirate, Blackbeard.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
In this crafty workshop, learn how to make a snappy crocodile, just like Tick-Tock - the monstrous croc who tormented Captain Hook in Peter Pan. Check the website for a full list of materials and tools.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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CRAFTY CREATIONS: MAKE A FAIRY JAR WITH MORWENNA CATT
CRAFTY CREATIONS: MAKE A PIRATE SHIP WITH MORWENNA CATT
FOR AGES 5-11+ Join artist Morwenna Catt for this craft session using materials you're likely to have at home.
FOR AGES 5-11+ Join artist Morwenna Catt for this craft session using materials you're likely to have at home.
In this session, Morwenna will show you how to make a beautiful fairy jar that lights up the night just like Tinkerbell!
In this session, Morwenna will show you how to make a swashbuckling pirate ship fit for plundering the seven seas!
Check the website for a full list of materials and tools.
Check the website for a full list of materials and tools.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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PRIMARY POETRY EVENTS FOR AGES 5-11+ Whether you've got very young children just learning how to express themselves, or you've got a budding bard on your hands, our primary age poetry events have something for everyone. Covering everything from constructing beatbox rhymes to space inspired verse, poets from Bradford and beyond share their top tips for creating captivating poems. Look out for our handy resource packs for teachers and parents, available on the event webpage.
Funded by:
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POEMS ALOUD WITH JOSEPH COELHO
POTATOES, CARROTS ...POETRY! WITH JOHN HEGLEY
RHYTHM & POETRY WITH KARL NOVA
FOR AGES 5-10+
FOR AGES 8-11+
FOR AGES 8-10+
Join award winning children’s poet Joseph Coelho, as he invites everyone to read along from his latest book, Poems Aloud.
Join comic poet John Hegley for a lively performance of the poems that have made him so beloved of children and teachers alike, as he reads from his collections I Am A Poetato and My Dog is a Carrot. John will then sit down for a chat about everything, his life, his poetry, his music, his glasses....we'll just have to see where it goes!
Join hip hop artist, author, poet and beat-maker Karl Nova to hear all about his poetry and music, and enjoy a very special performance from his collection Rhythm and Poetry.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Joseph will explain ideas such as rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, onomatopoeia and crescendo (volume) so you can create your own poems.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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PRIMARY POETRY EVENTS Funded by:
ASTRO POETRY WITH DOM CONLON
BEATBOXING, RHYTHM & RHYMES WITH TESTAMENT
FOR AGES 5-9+
FOR AGES 5-9+
Dom Conlon LOVES space. He also loves poetry. This might be why he’s been called 'Poet Laureate to the Moon'.
World-record holding beatboxer Testament knows a thing or two about using the human voice in inventive and awe-inspiring ways.
In this stellar performance, Dom takes you on a journey through our solar system and beyond, into the far reaches of the known universe.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
In this workshop he'll teach you all about sound, rhythm and rhyme - the building blocks of not only beatboxing and rap music but also poetry.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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MOON JUICE: POEMS FOR CHILDREN WITH KATE WAKELING
ZIM ZAM ZOOM FAMILY POETRY WITH JAMES CARTER
FOR AGES 5-9+
FOR AGES 0-6+
Join poet and performer Kate Wakeling as she reads from her award-winning book of poems for children. Moon Juice is full of curious characters and strange situations, always musical, sometimes wistful, and full of wonder at the weirdness of the world.
James Carter provides some fast-paced fun, as he brings poetry and music together for the youngest children. You’re in for a treat, as punchy poetry and masterful melodies combine to introduce your little ones to the magical possibilities of poetry.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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SECONDARY AUTHOR EVENTS FOR AGES 11-18+ Our diverse and exciting programme of events for secondary school age children focuses on the Gothic genre and celebrates local contemporary authors. We'll unpick the idea of the Gothic novel, discuss the influence of place and how to 'write where you are' and examine the genre of Gothic films. Contemporary Bradfordian authors will discuss the influence of the city of Bradford on their writing. Look out for our handy resource packs for teachers and parents, available on the event webpage.
Funded by:
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THE DEATHLESS GIRLS WITH KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE
Q&A WITH KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE
FOR AGES 11-18+ Award-winning author Kiran Millwood Hargrave discusses the Gothic world of her debut novel The Deathless Girls with book blogger Jean Menzies Written as a prequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the book marries classic Gothic with themes of marginalised communities, LGBTQ relationships, feminism and friendship.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
Join us for an exciting Q&A with award-winning author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, exploring the Gothic world of Kiran’s debut novel for young adults, The Deathless Girls, with questions from our audiences at home.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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SECONDARY AUTHOR EVENTS Funded by:
GOTHIC ON FILM WITH COLIN McCRACKEN FOR AGES 14-18+ This unique, narrated visual presentation weaves archive footage, pop culture references and film trailers into a half hour odyssey into the Gothic genre. Join Colin McCracken as he re-introduces familiar characters such as Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster, with a very modern twist.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
WRITE WHERE YOU ARE WITH A.A. DHAND FOR AGES 14-18+ Bradford-based crime writer A.A. Dhand reads from his book One Way Out and talks about how the place where you live can be a rich source of inspiration – from derelict buildings to family traditions; from the shopping centres you visit at weekends, to the way your friends talk, and offers some great ideas for how aspiring fiction writers can get started “writing where they are” too.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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FLASH FICTION WORKSHOP WITH KATY DARBY
ANNE BRONTË AND THE GOTHIC WORKSHOP WITH MICHAEL STEWART
FOR AGES 11-18+
FOR AGES 11-18+
Flash Fiction is a form of very short storytelling, with anything between 5 and 1,500 words. For this workshop, author Katy Darby will guide you through the dos and don'ts of writing compelling Flash Fiction so you have everything you need to get started writing your own.
Bradford-based author of Ill Will, Michael Stewart leads a workshop on writing your very own Gothic story. Using Emily Brontë's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall as a focal point, Michael will explore Gothic tropes and themes and explain how you can use these in your own story.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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SECONDARY POETRY EVENTS FOR AGES 11-18+ Our amazing line-up of poetry for secondary age children explores the origins of poetry and it's evolution into music and popular culture and features incredible performances from poets from the UK and America. Including award-winning poets and educators such as Peter Bearder, Nadine Aisha Jassat and Anthony Anaxagorou, our poetry programme is packed full of inspiration for budding bards and reluctant readers. Do you know a teenager who spends all their free time listening to rap and hip hop? Scribbling thoughts into notebooks? Or perhaps they're just looking for a creative outlet? Well, these events are for them.
Funded by:
55 Funded by:
FROM HOMER TO HIP HOP WITH PETER BEARDER
YORKSHIRE POETRY WITH NADINE AISHA JASSAT
POETRY & IMAGERY WORKSHOP WITH ANTHONY ANAXAGOROU
FOR AGES 13-18+
FOR AGES 11-18+
FOR AGES 13-18+
Join National Poetry Slam champion Peter Bearder to find out why wordsmiths have always been vilified, feared and revered, from ballad singers and Beat poets, to the icons of dub, punk and hip hop.
Yorkshire poet Nadine Aisha Jassat shares poetry written in her very personal dialect, and in a Yorkshire accent, exploring the diversity of heritage and language in our county and showcasing the importance of voice and point of view.
Join award winning poet Anthony Anaxagorou for this creative poetry writing workshop that looks at how to create effective imagery in poetry and gives you the skills and inspiration needed to pick up a pen and get writing.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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SECONDARY POETRY EVENTS Funded by:
FINDING YOUR INNER VOICE IN VERSE WITH FARAH CHAMMA
SLAM & SPOKEN WORD POETRY WITH JOANNA HOFFMAN
POETRY ON YOUR TERMS WITH CARLOS ANDRÉS GÓMEZ
FOR AGES 14-18+
FOR AGES 13-18+
FOR AGES 13-18+
Join Palestinian spoken word poet Farah Chamma as she delivers a very special performance, before talking about the ways in which poetry can be a way to express your inner voice, whatever you have to say - in however many languages you speak.
In between performances of her own unique poetry, veteran New York slam poet Joanna Hoffman talks about how she got into performing, what poetry means to her and how coming out as a lesbian informs the themes of some of her work.
Colombian-American poet and author Carlos Andrés Gómez shares his experiences of breaking down the traditional 'rules' of poetry, the importance of finding your own style, and how your own life experiences can make your work unique.
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
AVAILABLE ON DEMAND CLICK HERE TO WATCH
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Look out for competitions, resources and more at bradfordlitfest.co.uk
HOW TO WATCH All events in our digital programme are free to watch, accessible via our website, and streamed via Youtube.
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