explore words discover worlds

9/11 and the World it Created

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 04:00:00 -0400

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 public discourse around Islam and identity, and the geopolitical consequences of intervention in Afghanistan and Iraq.
www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk

In Conversation with Husam Zomlot and Humza Yousuf | Bradford Literature Festival 2026

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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 internationally, Zomlot reflects on questions of statehood, identity, international law and the human realities of conflict and displacement.

Spanning history, politics and personal experience, the discussion explores the evolving global response to Palestine and the enduring search for justice, dignity and peace in one of the world’s most contested regions.

The Voice Inside with Ro Mitchell | Bradford Literature Festival 2026

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

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 to challenge negative self-talk and build healthier habits with compassion rather than shame.

This interactive session includes a participative Q&A, offering space to reflect, ask questions and leave with actionable strategies for developing a kinder, more confident relationship with yourself and your inner voice.

www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk

Free Word Lecture with Misan Harriman | Bradford Literature Festival 2026

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:00:00 -0400

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 on the power of stories, images and testimony to shape how societies see themselves and remember their histories. Exploring questions of representation, public memory and the responsibility of bearing witness, he considers what it means to tell human stories in an age saturated with images, information and competing narratives.

Presented in partnership with Free Word.