Star-studded line-up for Bradford Literature Festival
TV stars and political figures will be among the contributors to this year’s Bradford Literature Festival events with University of Bradford links.
Bradford Literature Festival 2025 will be held at a host of venues across the city, including the University of Bradford, a strategic partner of the event, between Friday 27 June and Sunday 6 July.
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn will join Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at the University, to rethink global security and consider more peaceful alternatives in ‘The Monstrous Anger of the Guns’. The talk will be at St George’s Hall, Bradford, on Sunday 6 July from 14:00 to 15:00.
The event is based on ‘Monstrous Anger of the Guns – How the Global Arms Trade is Ruining the World and What We Can Do About It’, a book co-edited by Professor Rogers with contributions from Mr Corbyn.
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn will appear at a Bradford Literature Festival 2025 event. Images credit: Bradford Literature Festival and University of Bradford
Professor Rogers leads a panel of expert commentators for ‘The World Today 2025’, looking at the most pressing issues facing the world this year. It will be held on Sunday 6 July at City Hall, Bradford, from 16:00 and 17:15.
He will return for ‘Paul Rogers: The World in 2030’, exploring the challenges and opportunities for the world over the next five years, on Saturday 28 June at City Hall from 11:00 to 12:00.
He said: “In barely 10 years the Bradford Literature Festival has grown to be one of the UK’s leading urban festivals, unique for its sheer breadth of cultures and amazing for the range of events and discussions it promotes.”
Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford, will take part in three events at Bradford Literature Festival 2025. Images credit: Bradford Literature Festival and University of Bradford
What is being held on campus?
‘An Evening with Griff Rhys Jones’ sees the comedian and broadcaster look back at his more than 40-year career at the University’s Great Hall on Wednesday 2 July from 19:00 to 20:00.
‘In Conversation with John Cooper Clarke’, held in the Great Hall on Friday 4 July from 20:00 to 21:00, sees the poet take the audience through his career from his childhood in Salford to having one of Britain’s most distinctive literary voices.
Journalist and broadcaster, Steph McGovern, will discuss her debut crime novel, Deadline, at the University’s Great Hall on Saturday 5 July between 15:30 and 16:30.
‘In Conversation with Katie Piper’ sees the TV presenter discuss her new book challenging cultural narratives that view women as invisible as they get older. The event is in the Great Hall on Saturday 28 June from 14:00 and 15:00.
Griff Rhys Jones will look back at his career in comedy at the University of Bradford. Images credit: Bradford Literature Festival and University of Bradford
‘In Conversation with William Dalrymple: The Golden Road’ sees historian and author discuss his new book on South Asia, ‘The Golden Road’, on Sunday 6 July from 13:30 to 14:30 in the Great Hall.
The ‘Creative Economic Conference’ sees experts discuss the future of the UK’s creative economy at the University’s Norcroft Auditorium on Friday 27 June from 09:30 to 17:30.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, Dr Husam Zomlot, looks at current events in Gaza on Saturday 28 June from 15:30 to 16:30 in the Great Hall.
Other events include St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology on Saturday 5 July from 12:00 to 13:30 and Whirling Dervishes on the same day between 17:30 and 18:45, both in the Great Hall.
Academics take to the stage
Professor Hassan Ugail, the University’s Director of the Centre for Visual Computing and Intelligent Systems, will discuss artificial intelligence, public safety and privacy at ‘Surveillance Stars’. He will be joined by civil liberties campaigner, Jake Hurfurt, from Big Brother Watch, at the University’s Small Hall on Sunday 29 June from 13:00 to 14:00.
Dr Mark Goodall, Associate Professor from the University’s School of BEACI: Faculty of Engineering & Digital Technologies, hosts a discussion with Bradford’s 1 in 12 Club founder, Gary Cavanagh, looking back at Bradford’s underground music scene. ‘Bradford Noise of the Valleys’ is in the University’s Small Hall on Saturday 5 July from 11:00 to 12:00.
Broadcaster Steph McGovern will discuss her debut novel at the University’s Great Hall. Images credit: Bradford Literature Festival and University of Bradford.
The archive of Bradford novelist and playwright, JB Priestley, will be opened at the University’s Special Collections Room on Saturday 28 June from 10:30 to 12:00.
Dr Pedi Obani, from the University’s School of Law and expert in climate change governance, joins Jocelyn Longdon, an environmental activist, for ‘Ancestral Wisdom and the Future of our Planet’ at City Hall, Bradford, on Sunday 29 June from 16:00 to 17:00.
Education Programme
The University hosts Bradford Literature Festival’s free education programme for primary and secondary schools and home educators.
Writer, poets and performers will share their expertise at a series of live shows held in the Great Hall from Thursday 26 June to Friday 4 July, between 10:00 and 14:15 each day.
Themes at this year’s programme include Ancient Egypt, Shakespeare and Civil Rights. Activities include the The Universe and You (Primary Key Stage 2) featuring the Bradford-Renduchintala Centre for Space AI.
TV Presenter Katie Piper will be on campus during the festival. Images credit: Bradford Literature Festival and University of Bradford
Syima Asla, Founder and Artistic Director, said: “Bradford Literature Festival continues to be shaped by the communities we serve — international in scope, proudly rooted in Bradford, and grounded in the principle that everyone deserves access to culture, no matter who they are or where they come from.
“This year, we are also especially proud to celebrate Bradford’s designation as the UK City of Culture 2025 — an accolade that reflects the vibrant cultural landscape and creative energy the festival has helped to nurture and shape over the years.”
For more information, and to book tickets, go to bradfordlitfest.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01274 044 140. Bradford Literature Festival is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible programme, which is why ticket prices remain low and many of our events are free, to further increase access the festival.