Bradford Just Threw a Massive Ten-Day Party for Books, and It Was Epic

Ever have one of those weeks where everything just feels a bit… brilliant? That was Bradford for ten whole days. If you thought literature festivals were just quiet rooms with people rustling pages, you need to think again. The Bradford Literature Festival just wrapped up its 2025 programme, and it was a massive, buzzing, thought-provoking success.

We’re talking over 187,000 people turning up to the city’s shiny, regenerated city centre for a celebration of stories, ideas, and pure creative energy. With a whopping 752 events and 524 artists, this wasn't just a festival; it was a statement. Bradford is officially the UK City of Culture 2025, and this series of events showed exactly why.

What a turnout! the community shows up for culture

Honestly, the atmosphere was incredible. Theatres and halls across the city were packed. People came together for talks on everything from the search for Atlantis to the future of Europe, and from the miners' strike to why we love food so much. It was a proper mix. The whole thing was built on big themes like hope, peace, and community collaboration. It’s clear that the festival is hitting the right notes, and a lot of the buzz has required the organisers to release media updates regularly.

Syima Aslam, the festival’s Founder and Artistic Director, put it perfectly:

“I’m thrilled to see Bradford Literature Festival continue to grow, reaching new audiences while deepening our connection with those who return year after year. It’s been a joy to welcome such a breadth of artists and audiences from across the UK and around the world, and to see so many children and young people engage with our schools programme and free family days. From powerful, timely conversations to moments of inspiration and joy, this year has reaffirmed BLF’s role as one of the UK’s most vital cultural platforms proudly rooted in Bradford, globally connected, and open to the world.”

Big names and even bigger ideas

And the guest list? Top-tier. Imagine being in a room with punk poet legend John Cooper Clarke. He performed his classics (yes, including ‘I Wanna Be Yours’) and even shared a new, hilariously blunt poem. Chatting about his life, he came out with this absolute gem about going to funerals: “I could go to seven funerals a week, but no man can live on vol au vents alone.” You just can’t make this stuff up.

Then there was the incredible poet Lemn Sissay OBE. He’s a long-time supporter of the literature festival and his talks are always powerful. He spoke about his life, language, and love, saying:

“Love is the driving force of my writing now. It is my main motivation.”

His conversation was full of stories that remind you how much we all need to create and connect. It was proper soul-food, touching on everything from politics to personal discovery, backed by his amazing storytelling.

More than just books: faith, feelings, and the future

The festival wasn’t afraid to get into the deep stuff. There were amazing conversations about faith and empathy. One talk explored how the internet is changing how we study religion. Basically, it’s not just for experts in old university buildings anymore. As Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad said, “Faith studies are being democratised,” meaning more people can access these big ideas. It’s all about collaboration.

This idea of using your unique gifts was echoed by designer Peter Gould, who talked about his "heart-centred" approach. He reminded everyone:

“We’re all creative. We all have dreams and talents and a unique combination of gifts. It’s our responsibility to use these in a beautiful way.”

And it wasn’t just about inner worlds. Architects Anna Liu and Eelco Hooftman talked about the importance of city gardens and green spaces. Think of it like this: your local park isn’t just a nice place for a kickabout; it’s part of fighting climate change. The panel showed how different forms of arts and design can shape our world for the better.

Getting real and giving hope

With so much going on in the world, it’s easy to feel a bit down. The festival tackled this head-on. There were vital conversations about politics, peace, and how we can work together to fix things. Commentator Ash Sarkar joined a panel to discuss rebuilding a sense of collective purpose. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also hosted a talk on the global arms race. He was grateful for the space, saying:

“I’m very grateful to the Bradford Literature Festival for the space to have this sort of discussion and reach a wider audience.”

The panel's message wasn't all doom and gloom, though. Professor Paul Rogers ended on a note of hope, reminding everyone that “things can change if enough of us are willing to stand up, be counted and spread the word.” It was a powerful call for community action. This feeling was amplified by a moving photo exhibition from Seamus Murphy, who said, “One thing that gives me hope is the Palestinian people... They find something to live and hope for.”

Shining a light on brilliant stories

Ever felt like your favourite book genre is a bit underrated? You’re not alone. A panel of bestselling crime fiction authors, including Kia Abdullah, Nadine Matheson, and Saima Mir, talked about how the literary world sometimes looks down on their work.

“Crime fiction is all encompassing. It covers mental health issues, organised religion, loss among communities. So, when the literary establishment looks down on crime fiction, it doesn’t make any sense,” Abdullah said. Hear, hear!

Other panels celebrated voices that often don't get enough airtime, like the one featuring Muslim women discussing their experiences in the UK media. It was all about challenging stereotypes and pushing for better representation, with a real sense of empathy. These events featured a fantastic line-up of authors and creators.

Bradford's own story: from the brontës to today

The festival also dove into Yorkshire’s amazing literary history. Newsreader-turned-novelist Reeta Chakrabarti talked about her love for Jane Eyre, a story that changes for her as she gets older. Her own book is “a 21st century response to a 19th century novel.” There were also talks celebrating local hero J.B. Priestley and marking 250 years since Jane Austen’s birth. The whole programme was a testament to the power of a good story.

And it seems like the world is noticing. Travel writer Ben Aitken gave Bradford a massive 7.6 out of 10 in his latest book, praising its rich culture and amazing buildings in the city centre. A proper endorsement!

Fun for all the family (and a lot of it was free!)

This wasn't just for the grown-ups. The Family Fun Days in City Park were brilliant. One day was a space adventure with cosmic crafts and bhangra dancing; the next was a wizarding wonderland with face painting and magic. It was amazing to see so many children and families enjoying the storytelling and music.

And let's not forget the BLF Education Programme. It’s one of the biggest in the UK and it’s free for non-fee paying schools. Over 31,000 kids and young people got involved in sessions with authors, poets, and scientists. It's all about getting creativity and critical thinking into their learning. An official media release on this programme highlighted its incredible impact on the local community.

Already excited for next year?

After such a massive success in 2025, the good news is that the Bradford Literature Festival is already planned for next year. Get your diaries out and mark down 3rd – 12th July 2026. This festival is proof that stories matter, that community is powerful, and that Bradford is a city buzzing with culture and ideas. See you there!