Bradford Literature Festival Forms International Humanitarian Partnership

New collaboration aims to link literature with global humanitarian efforts

The Bradford Literature Festival (BLF) has announced a partnership with Humaniti International, a non-profit organisation that provides emergency relief, healthcare, and aid across the world. This collaboration was highlighted during the festival’s 12th edition in 2026, which attracted over 200,000 visitors.

Details of the partnership

Humaniti International is a global humanitarian organisation focused on delivering aid regardless of race or religion. Its core activities include:

• Setting up mobile clinics and delivering medicines
• Providing life-saving surgeries
• Building solar-powered wells to supply clean drinking water
• Distributing hot meals and essential supplies in crisis zones
• Offering financial assistance to vulnerable populations

The partnership saw Humaniti International supporting several key events at the 2026 festival, including:

• A conversation between Prue Leith and Peg Alexander
• The annual Rumi Lecture delivered by Professor Jawid Mojaddedi
• A debate on democracy and freedom featuring former South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool, podcaster Myriam François, and former First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf
• “Beyond Time” discussion exploring consciousness and human experience with Fawad Kalsi, Jared Shuri, and CERN physicist Professor Akram Khan
• “Empire After Empire” event with Vince Cable, Dr Nafja Sabbah Al-Kuwari, and Professor Paul Rogers discussing historical and contemporary empires

Festival background and future plans

The Bradford Literature Festival, established over a decade ago, aims to be more than a series of cultural events. Its founder and artistic director, Syima Aslam, has emphasised the festival’s role as a platform for diverse voices and stories, reflecting the city’s cultural richness. Aslam has described literature as a means to understand ourselves and others, encompassing language, imagination, memory, and truth.

Following the success of the 2026 festival, the organisers have confirmed that the next edition will take place from Friday 11th June to Sunday 20th June 2027. Further details about the programme are expected to be announced in due course.

For updates on the 2027 festival, visit the official website: www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk.