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Across much of the democratic world, debates around free speech, protest, surveillance, citizenship and state power are becoming increasingly common.   Bringing together cultural commentator Myriam Francois, former First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf, and former South African ambassador and anti-apartheid activist Ebrahim Rasool, this major conversation explores the tensions emerging at the he...

For more than six decades, acclaimed photographer Peter Sanders has documented some of the defining cultural, spiritual and social movements of our time. From the creative energy and optimism of the 1960s to encounters with faith communities and sacred traditions across the world, his photographs offer a unique visual record of a changing age. In this special retrospective, Sanders reflects on a l...

Join artist, curator and YouTube creator James Payne for a captivating, illustrated talk exploring the stories behind some of the world’s most famous artworks.  Best known for his series Great Art Explained, Payne brought masterpieces to life through compelling storytelling and sharp insight. In this special event, he will guide audiences through the remarkable lives of the artists, the drama behi...

Jeremy Corbyn and Professor Paul Rogers discuss the Gaza Tribunal and the growing debate around accountability, international law and the humanitarian consequences of conflict in Gaza.   The conversation will reflect on the role of public testimony, political activism and legal scrutiny in shaping international awareness and response.   Whilst exploring wider questions around justice, diplomacy an...

Saeed Khan, Meshael Al-Mannai and Hassan Abdein explore how the modern Middle East was shaped through empire and partition; the discussion considers how borders, external intervention and competing visions of political identity continue to shape the region today.   Examining the legacy of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, mandate systems, nationalism and post-colonial state formation, this panel offers h...

Prue Leith has never been one to hold back. At 85, she’s not about to start. The Great British Bake Off presenter, Great British Menu judge, restaurateur, cookery school founder and national treasure joins us for a chat about her Sunday Times bestselling memoir Being Old and Learning to Love It, a frank, funny and thoroughly entertaining reckoning with life in her eighties. From love and loss to a...

Ousama Iyad Alshurafa offers a way of reading life itself, treating the dunya as something encrypted that can be decoded once you find the right key. His central insight is that this world is built on perception: it constantly tests whether a person trusts what they see in front of them or what God has revealed beneath the surface.   Most people, he argues, live captive to appearances, believing t...

Twenty-five years after September 11, this conversation examines how a single moment reshaped global politics, security, foreign policy and public life across the world.   Saeed Khan, Professor Paul Rogers, Ebrahim Rasool, Shahed Amanullah, and Rim-Sarah Alouane discuss will explore the lasting impact of the War on Terror, the expansion of surveillance and security states, the transformation of pu...

Returning to Bradford Literature Festival following the formal elevation of the Palestinian mission in London to embassy status, Ambassador Husam Zomlot joins us for a major conversation on Palestine, diplomacy and the shifting political landscape of the Middle East.  As Head of the Palestinian Embassy to the United Kingdom and one of the most prominent Palestinian diplomatic voices internationall...

In a world shaped by filters, comparison and constant pressure, how do we learn to truly value ourselves? Mental health advocate and content creator Ro Mitchell joins us for an honest and empowering conversation about self-worth in the digital age.   Drawing on her personal recovery journey, Ro explores how social media influences confidence, identity and wellbeing, while sharing practical tools t...

Photographer, filmmaker and cultural commentator Misan Harriman is one of the defining visual storytellers of our time. From documenting historic moments of protest and social change to creating some of the most widely recognised images of the past decade, his work has explored the relationship between visibility, dignity and human connection.  In this special Free Word Lecture, Harriman reflects...

What does the future of gardening look like in an era of climate crisis, urban inequality, and shifting notions of land and community? Inspired by Unearthed: The Power of Gardening , a landmark British Library exhibition and the accompanying Gardens of the Future book, this dynamic panel brings together growers, writers, artists and activists to explore gardening as a tool for resistance, healing...

Led by Shaykh Atabek Shukurov, this session explores the foundational principles of Greco-Islamic herbal medicine, drawing on the legacy of figures such as Plato, Galen, Ibn Sina, and Ibn Nafis. Rooted in the classical text Urjoozah by Ibn Sina, the discussion covers key concepts including the elements, humors, organs, and the natural balance essential to health. Attendees will gain insight into h...

What does it mean to write from – and about – the North? Join authors Marcia Hutchinson and Liz Mistry for a conversation exploring Northern identity, representation, and storytelling rooted in place. From crime fiction to memoir, their work brings the voices, landscapes, and complexities of the North to life, challenging stereotypes and championing diverse perspectives. Together, they’ll discuss...

Join writers and journalists Shahed Ezaydi, Samia Rahman, Remona Aly and Sabbiyah Pervez for a vital conversation exploring the experiences of Muslim women in the media today. From newsroom representation to public perception, the panel will discuss how Muslim women navigate an industry often shaped by bias, underrepresentation, and sensationalism. Drawing on their work across journalism, publishi...

In an age where artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of security and surveillance, this compelling discussion brings together two leading voices at the heart of the debate. Dr Hassan Ugail, a renowned AI and biometrics expert whose groundbreaking work has been used in high-profile criminal investigations, offers deep insight into the power and potential of facial recognition techn...

Join author Zimarina Sarwar to explore her latest book, The Four Imams , a profound examination of the lives and legacies of the four most revered Islamic scholars. It is known that Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik, Imam Shafi’i, and Imam Ahmad made contributions that have shaped Islamic jurisprudence and scholarship for centuries. Through her compelling narrative style, Sarwar will bring to life the p...

This powerful session explores poetry as an act of resistance and a voice for the voiceless. At its heart are four towering literary figures: Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Pablo Neruda, Mahmoud Darwish, and Nizar Qabbani, whose words transcended borders and became rallying cries for justice, dignity, and freedom. Faiz and Neruda were known friends and fellow travellers in the international struggle for peace a...

Join authors Angela Hui ( Takeaway ) and Candice Chung ( Chinese Parents Don’t Say I Love You ) for a conversation exploring the deep ties between food, memory, and identity. Hui reflects on growing up in a Chinese takeaway in rural Wales, while Chung explores reconnecting with her estranged parents through shared meals. Both memoirs reveal how food becomes a powerful language of love, heritage, a...

Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are once again drawing global attention – but they’re also part of a much bigger story. As China and the West compete for influence through military technology, strategic alliances, and shifting defence deals, regional conflicts like the one over Kashmir are becoming flashpoints in a wider struggle for global power. We explore the roles China and the West...

Join bestselling author Ben Aitken for Shitty Breaks: A Celebration of Unsung UK Cities , a wry and warm-hearted look at the places most travel guides skip. Based on his latest book, Aitken takes us on a journey through some of Britain’s most maligned towns and cities, from Slough to Stoke, uncovering their overlooked charm, humour, and resilience. Blending social commentary with sharp observation...

Step into the rich and complex story of Japan with acclaimed writer and Japan specialist, Lesley Downer, as she brings to life key moments from her book, The Shortest History of Japan . From samurai and shoguns to emperors, industrialists and pop culture pioneers, Downer unpacks the pivotal forces that have shaped one of the world’s most influential nations. Whether you’re new to Japan’s history o...

In an age of feeling and emotional excess, what enduring guidance can we find in the novels of Jane Austen? President of Zaytuna College, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, will explore how Austen’s moral clarity, subtle social critique, and focus on character formation offer a compelling response to the instability of modern life. Drawing on both the Islamic tradition and the Western literary canon, Shaykh Hamz...

Join father-daughter duo Kitty and Al Tait, authors of Breadsong , for a warm and inspiring conversation about baking, resilience, and the joy of doing things together. From a kitchen in Oxfordshire to national acclaim, their story is one of hope, healing, and the life-changing power of bread. Discover how flour, yeast, and a bit of love helped rebuild their lives – and how baking can nourish both...

As AI begins generating sermons, answering theological questions, and even issuing automated fatwas, sacred authority faces a new test. Can machine logic align with religious wisdom — or are we witnessing its quiet transformation? In this multifaith panel, Rabbi Dr Harris Bor — a barrister, theologian, and AI ethics commissioner — joins Dr Yaqub Chaudhary — a Visiting Scholar at the Leverhulme Cen...