NEXT week, Bradford city centre will be turned into a hub of activity centred around the written and spoken word.

The first Bradford Literature Festival features hundreds of events, from a free schools programme to a panel-led discussion on freedom of speech.

The festival team is led by Syima Aslam and Irna Qureshi, who have combined their love of books and films to create a cultural and literary extravaganza. Inspired by festivals such as Hay-on-Wye, the pair believed Bradford should have its own major festival, championing literature from a variety of different cultures, and set about organising a taster event last year.

They set up arts organisation, Culture Squared, which was awarded an Arts Council England grant to fund the two-day event, held last September. Featuring guest writers such as London Olympics poet Lemn Sissay, and 25 events held at venues around the city centre, it was a huge success, leading Syima and Irna to organise a bigger festival.

It starts next Friday, following a launch dinner at the Midland Hotel the previous evening, and guests include writers Will Self, Sophie Hannah, Brian Patten, John Siddique, Lauren Child, Nick Toczek, Lemn Sissay and Dervla Murphy.

What sets this apart from other festivals is that it aims to represent both south Asian and western literature on an equal basis.

And as well as authors, speakers and performers from around the world, the festival will also feature other art forms linked to the spoken word, such as film, theatre, comedy and music.

Bradford’s Jewish heritage comes under the spotlight with a tour of places of significance, and an event marking the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, and Freedom Studios, based in Little Germany, will stage a reading of three 20-minute plays by writers from its Street Voices 5 programme.

Singer Shabnam Khan presents the Sufiana Kalam, the music of the Sufis, at a special performance at Theatre in the Mill, transformed to resemble the traditional courtyard setting of a haveli, stately home.

Belgian theologist Jonas Yunus Atlas will be talking about his journey from Jakarta to New York, and from Lahore to London, in his quest to acquaint himself with the soul of Islam.

Gender issues are also addressed in the festival, with talks on feminism and the Muslim woman, and the representation of women in the tabloid press.

Award-winning show No Guts, No Heart, No Glory tackles stereotypes about young Muslim women and celebrates women in sport.

The show is inspired by a book based on interviews with Muslim female boxers, including former National Champion Ambreen Sadiq and former British University Champion Saira Tabasum, both from Bradford. Written by Aisha Zia and directed by Evie Manning, the play was developed with collaboration from the cast of 16-22 year old young Bradford-born British Pakistani Muslim women.

Syima and Irna share a passion for language and literacy, and the valuable role it plays in enabling children and young people to realise their potential.

“An understanding of the English language is crucial to understanding every subject in the curriculum,” says Syima.

“But this can’t come from school alone – it has to come from a love of language in all its forms. The festival takes literacy out of the classroom, to inspire parents and children through family activities and other festival and outreach programmes.”

Bradford Literature Festival consists of more than 150 events featuring more than 250 writers, thinkers, artists and experts from countries such as Nigeria, Syria, Poland, Pakistan, Ireland and Iran. Subjects ranging from Islamophobia to the Brontes will be under discussion, and a health and wellbeing strand includes talks on diabetes, obesity and yoga.

“The festival offers a safe, neutral space and a platform for people to discuss issues of global, national and local significance that they may not normally have the opportunity to address,” says Syima.

Bradford Literature Festival runs from May 15 – 24. To book tickets or for more details call 01274 238283.