AN all-star line-up of guests will help welcome back the first fully in-person Bradford Literature Festival in three years this summer.

Chef Delia Smith, football legend John Barnes and comedian Dom Joly are just some of the guests who will be on stage at the festival, which takes place in Bradford between June 24 and July 3. Over the last two years the event has been held digitally or as a hybrid format.

It is the largest literature festival in the north of England with a world-class line up and an eclectic mix of live events featuring academics, spiritual leaders, famous authors and exciting new literary talent.

 

The festival’s headline appearances this year include Delia Smith, Lemn Sissay, Tristram Hunt, John Barnes, Laura Bates, Joelle Taylor, Rev Richard Coles, Shashi Tharoor, Nikesh Shukla, Ben Okri, Dom Joly, William Dalrymple, Asma Khan and Sabrina Mahfouz.

Highlights of this summer’s festival include former Liverpool and England player Barnes discussing his new book; The Uncomfortable Truth About Racism. Renowned comedian and writer Dom Joly will share his insight into the Middle East, religion, friendship, and growing old disgracefully.

Legendary cook and television presenter Delia Smith will explore the nature of what it means to be human in her new book You Matter.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: John Barnes speaks to BBC Sport presenter Jason Mohamed on stage at the Bradford Literature Festival on SundayJohn Barnes speaks to BBC Sport presenter Jason Mohamed on stage at the Bradford Literature Festival in 2019John Barnes speaks to BBC Sport presenter Jason Mohamed on stage at the Bradford Literature Festival on SundayJohn Barnes speaks to BBC Sport presenter Jason Mohamed on stage at the Bradford Literature Festival in 2019

Former West Yorkshire MP turned Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ed Balls and Keighley-born Alistair Campbell will feature in the World Affairs and Politics strand. Meanwhile, TV journalist and presenter Robert Peston will be talking about his explosive thriller, The Whistleblower.

The first full, live programme since 2019 due to the pandemic will feature more than 300 events including its signature offering such as Poetry With a Punch, Sufiana Kalam and the jam-packed Family Fun Days.

Our 2022 festival theme will be ‘Silence & the Silenced’, with major anniversaries marked throughout the programme including the 75 Year Anniversary of Partition, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and 100 years since the Discovery of the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.

In celebration of the region’s best known writing family, UK fashion designer Giles Deacon will be presenting his collection of luxury linen and dinnerware, which was inspired by the Brontës sisters, entitled Dinner at Wildfell Hall.

The annual Brontë Heritage Weekend will also include an extensive outdoor programme of walking tours of Brontë country, historic areas of the city and the spectacular Victorian Undercliffe Cemetery with its commanding views over Bradford.

The full festival programme and tickets will be available in early May, featuring details of the events which will be taking place.