Festival Themes

Democracies in Danger?

2024: the ultimate election year. Almost half the global population will take to the polls in elections across more than 60 countries at a time when many political commentators and historians fear the concept of democracy itself is under threat.

How did we get into this position? What can the results of these elections tell us about the state of democracy around the world today? And what do they signal for its future? Join the conversation and hear journalists, politicians and experts discuss the state of politics and democracy here in the UK, across the pond and around the world.

Browse and book our Democracies in Danger? events here.

Murder, They Wrote

From head-scratching whodunits to police procedurals, cosy crime to forensic thrillers – you only have to look at the bestseller lists to see we’re a country where crime does pay… Crime fiction, that is. This year we’re on the case, bringing criminal activity to Ilkley with events from arresting debut authors, household names who’ve turned their pens to a life of crime (writing) and bestselling masterminds of the genre. Interrogate what draws us to these wildly popular books, get caught red-handed with the most exciting new releases and do time with some of our most talented crime writers.

Browse and book our Murder, They Wrote events here.

In Verse

Poetry can transform the mundane into the magical. For the last 50 years, ILF has celebrated and promoted poetry in all its forms – and this year is no different. We’re thrilled to welcome an exciting array of poets to ILF24 – from former Poet Laureates to up-and-coming stars of the future. Discover the power of poetry for yourself at a reading or find your poetic voice in one of our workshops.

Browse and book our In Verse events here.

A Matter of Taste

We’ve got plenty of mouth-watering events for you to sink your teeth into this year. Let Prue Leith explain how you can make delicious food without all the fuss, join Georgina Hayden and Ben Tish on an odyssey through the flavours of the mediterranean and get stuck into a cheese and wine tasting with fromager-extraordinaire Ned Palmer. We promise, you won’t leave hungry.

Browse and book our A Matter of Taste events here.

Legacies

Why do some names go down in history while others get forgotten? What role do writers play in determining legacies, their own and those of others? We’re dusting off the cover and taking a second look at a variety of fascinating historical figures – from famous writers and musicians to political heavyweights, activists who made a difference and women whose stories have been manipulated and misremembered. Hear from historians, writers and poets who are unearthing the past, looking afresh at the figures we think we know and revealing those who have, for too long, been overlooked.

Browse and book our Legacies events here.

Explore Moor: Nurturing Nature

Nature nurtures our minds, bodies and souls. But do we return the favour? With so much of the natural world under threat, we’re exploring our relationship with nature and how we can guarantee its future. Hear from poets, climate experts and horticultural icons on the finest new nature writing, the solace that being out in nature brings and what a net zero future looks like and how we can get there.

Browse and book our Explore Moor: Nurturing Nature events here.

Ethics & Technology

As technology continues to evolve, we are faced with more and more ethical questions. Will AI help or hinder us? Will it replace our creativity, mask the truth with misinformation or become a new source for contributions to human development? Are social media algorithms fuelling hate and conspiracy theories? Where do the lines lie in the new space race? Join us for a series of thoughtful, future-facing conversations on where the ethical lines exist within the digital revolution and what society stands to lose or gain.

Browse and book our Ethics & Technology events here.