Waking the Warriors with Ben Okri

Sunday 11 October 2026
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Starts: 1:30pm
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Duration: 1 hour
The Crown Hotel, Harrogate
Tickets £ 20.00

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Booker Prize winning author Sir Ben Okri as he introduces his extraordinary new novel, Waking the Warriors.

Drawing on the ancient legend of sleeping warriors who rise when they are needed most, Waking the Warriors is a powerful and timely story about courage, hope and the strength of the human spirit. Through a richly imagined world, Okri explores what it means to confront fear, protect what matters most and find the resilience to face an uncertain future.

In this special event, Sir Ben will discuss the inspirations behind the novel and the ideas that shaped its unforgettable characters and themes. He will reflect on the role of myth and imagination in his writing, the importance of storytelling in challenging times and the ways in which fiction can help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.

Renowned for his lyrical prose and profound insight, Sir Ben Okri has captivated readers across the globe with works that blend the magical with the philosophical. This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s most celebrated writers speak about his latest work, his remarkable creative process and the enduring power of literature to inspire, challenge and transform.

Ben Okri is the Nigerian-born poet, cultural activist, and author of thirteen novels, including the Booker Prize-winning The Famished Road, the first in a trilogy, and Astonishing the Gods, which was selected as one of the BBC’s ‘100 novels that shaped our world’, as well as collections of poetry, short stories, plays and essays. His work has been translated into more than 28 languages. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has won numerous international prizes and been awarded many honorary doctorates. His poem following the Grenfell Tower tragedy was widely viewed on television and on social media. He was a Fellow Commoner in Creative Arts at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was awarded an OBE in 2001 and a Knighthood in 2023.

Access

If you or anyone in your party has any access requirements, or need specific Wheelchair space please call our box office on 01423 562303 who will be able to advise you about the best seats for your needs and any concessions not available online.

You can find more accessibility information and join our access scheme here.