Bradford Literature Festival celebrates a decade of events

This month, from 28 June to 7 July, the Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) returns to the heart of the city for its 10th anniversary. Established in 2014, BLF has become one of the UK’s largest and most diverse literary festivals, renowned for its innovative programming and inclusive ethos.

BLF 2024 promises an exceptional line-up as Bradford welcomes renowned authors, artists and thought leaders including comedians Ruby Wax, Shaparak Khorsandi and Sara Pascoe; author and broadcaster Lemn Sissay; TV historian Mary Beard; singer Corinne Bailey Rae; and beloved actress Miriam Margolyes.

Syima Aslam, CEO and Artistic Director of BLF, expresses her excitement for this landmark year: “I am delighted to welcome you to the 10th anniversary edition of the literature festival, which will showcase our variety of events, designed to inspire and excite everyone. 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 program also includes annual favorites 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.

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

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

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

Sir Richard Lambert, chairman 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 only 25 events and 900 audiences. By 2015 we had begun to progress to the point where last year there were 678 events to enjoy, with audiences far exceeding our wildest expectations. to over 116,000 people.”

Lambert emphasizes BLF’s commitment to accessibility and diversity: “From those humble beginnings, 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 organization in the country; and our goal is to provide exceptional arts and cultural experiences for national and international audiences, as well as our all-important local communities.”

BLF’s annual Creative Economy Conference prefaces the main festival on 27 June 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 work together to drive innovation and economic growth. It promises to be a thought-provoking day of discussion and debate aimed at stimulating visionary thinking and regional development.

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

Aslam reiterates this commitment: “Inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do and we are proud to provide a platform for marginalized voices that might otherwise go unheard. Our low ticket price, concessions and free family events demonstrate our continued dedication to our audience. From the beginning, BLF’s goal has been to make a tangible difference; to raise aspirations and literacy in Europe’s youngest city by creating a destination international literature festival to inspire the next generation, both in Bradford and across the UK.”

As Bradford prepares to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2025, this year’s Bradford Festival of Literature sets the stage for an extraordinary period of cultural celebration. Don’t miss 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