Dervla Murphy in 1990
IRISH cyclist and author Dervla Murphy will treat audiences to stories of her past adventures at Bradford’s first literature festival.
The 83-year-old – who lives in Waterford - is one of the headline guests at the festival,where she will divulge details of her trips through countries such as Iran, Cuba, Romania and Ethiopia.
Funded by Arts Council England and Bradford City Council, the literary and cultural heritage of the area in West Yorkshire will be celebrated in 150 events across the city from May 15-24.
The 10-day festival is aimed at boosting child and adult literacy levels, promoting cultural diversity, health and wellbeing and encouraging people into the city centre.
Other festival guests include children’s writer Lauren Child, author of the best-selling Rivers of London books Ben Aaronovitch, and Brian Patten, one of the celebrated Mersey Poets.
A range of venues across the city will host the events, from the City Library and Bradford College to City Hall and the Midland Hotel.
Murphy cycled to India in 1963, where she worked with Tibetan refugee children before returning home after a year to write her first two books.
Full Tilt was published in 1965 and over twenty other travel books have followed.
For more information visit bradfordliteraturefestival.co.uk
