The Brighton Book Festival returns for its fifth anniversary this June, launching its 2026 programme with a landmark opening event.
Director Carolynn Bain said, “We are pinching ourselves to believe this is really happening. Zadie is an absolute giant in the literary world and a woman of great influence, and to have her open the festival as we celebrate five years is an absolute dream”.
On June 17th, the acclaimed author of White Teeth, Zadie Smith, will open the festival at the Brighthelm Centre. She will be discussing her highly anticipated new essay collection, Dead and Alive, in a conversation hosted by the award-winning journalist and author Kuba Shand-Baptiste.
Event Highlights
Following her sold-out 2025 tour, Smith returns to the stage to explore the themes of her latest work. In Dead and Alive, she examines:
Visual Arts: Close-up looks at Toyin Ojih Odutola, Kara Walker, and Celia Paul.
Culture & Music: Reflections on the film Tár and Stormzy’s historic Glastonbury performance.
Literature & Loss: Personal tributes to the legacies of Joan Didion, Martin Amis, Hilary Mantel, Philip Roth, and Toni Morrison.
Society: Insightful commentary on transatlantic government shifts and the concept of “the commons.”
Tickets and Booking
Demand is exceptionally high, with over 50% of tickets already sold.
https://www.brightonbookfestival.co.uk/products/zadie-smith