Bradford Literature Festival Opens with Diverse Cultural Events

Festival Highlights Include Talks, Comedy, and Discussions on Art and Politics

The twelfth annual Bradford Literature Festival began its 2026 programme with a variety of events attracting audiences from across the UK and abroad. The opening weekend featured a broad range of activities including talks, comedy, music, and walking tours, reflecting the festival’s focus on inclusive cultural engagement.

Opening Weekend Programme and Themes

The festival’s opening night included a comedy event with performers such as Desiree Burch, Jack Carroll, and Ola Labib, hosted by Eshaan Akbar. The weekend’s discussions covered topics including autism, art as communication, democracy, geopolitics, and literature.

Bradley Riches, known for his role in Heartstopper, spoke about his experience growing up non-verbal until the age of 10 and how drama helped him communicate. Guardian critic and author John Harris shared insights into his relationship with his autistic son through music, describing it as a form of conversation.

Musicians John Robb and Dave Randall discussed music’s role in protest movements, highlighting campaigns such as Rock Against Racism. Photographer and filmmaker Misan Harriman delivered the festival’s annual Free Word Lecture, reflecting on his career documenting social movements including Black Lives Matter. His documentary Shoot the People is scheduled for screening during the festival.

Political and Social Discussions

Several events addressed themes of democracy, technology, and power. Former South African Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool debated the current state of democracy with journalist Myriam François, expressing concerns about the influence of global tech companies and social media on political processes.

Palestinian Ambassador to the UK Husam Zomlot spoke about his upbringing in a refugee camp and discussed political developments including the recognition of the state of Palestine. Green Party MP Hannah Spencer shared her experiences in politics, addressing issues such as MPs holding multiple jobs.

Historical and Literary Focus

Marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence, authors and academics explored America’s historical and international role. Historians Marc David Baer and Peter Oborne discussed Jewish-Muslim relations and the importance of interfaith cooperation against far-right extremism.

Concerns about online subcultures and misinformation were debated by author Kasim Ali and lecturer Dr Elizabeth Pearson, who supported proposals for restricting social media access for under-16s.

Literary events included a lecture on William Blake by Mark Vernon and a panel celebrating Agatha Christie’s legacy featuring crime writers Janice Hallett, Hazell Ward, and Tom Hindle. Bradford author A.A. Dhand launched his new crime novel The Kingpin, discussing his writing process and inspirations.

Additional Activities and Festival Duration

The festival also offered exhibitions, heritage walking tours, live performances, film screenings, and family events. It continues until Sunday 12th July 2026.

For further details and ticket information, visit www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk.