Salman Rushdie Says He Would “Prefer Not To” in Death-Asked Q&A at Inaugural Babell Festival in Porto

Salman Rushdie addressed questions about death and the 2022 knife attack during a sold-out Q&A at the inaugural Babell Literary and Cultural Festival in Porto, Portugal, according to Deadline’s report published June 28, 2026. When asked whether he feared death, Rushdie responded with a remark that Deadline described as a joke about having “quite a good look at it” and judging it “not great,” adding that he would “prefer not to.”

The Q&A took place as the author appeared at the first edition of Babell, a new literary and cultural event in Porto. Deadline reported that the session drew substantial public interest, with attendees filling the venue for the question-and-answer portion.

The report also said Rushdie was asked about his views on writing that leans into polemics. Deadline described him explaining that he is not interested in producing “polemical fiction,” connecting the comment to his broader perspective on the kind of work he prefers to engage with at this stage of his career.

Rushdie’s public comments arrive in the context of the ongoing cultural conversation around safety and public access to authors after major acts of targeted violence. His 2022 knife attack remains central to how audiences interpret his remarks at live events, particularly when he is asked to reflect on mortality and fear.

Deadline’s account frames Rushdie’s exchange as part of the festival’s program emphasis on literary discussion and public conversation, rather than as a specific political or ideological argument. The reporting highlights the author’s willingness to answer difficult personal questions in a direct manner, while also using humor and clear boundaries around the types of fiction he said he does not want to pursue.

Babell’s inaugural run in Porto underscores how major literary figures continue to draw crowds to new events, with the author’s appearance serving as a headline moment for the festival’s early identity. The session also reflects how live interviews can bring private experience, public speech, and audience interest into the same space, particularly for high-profile writers whose safety concerns have been widely discussed.

It was not clear from the Deadline report whether Rushdie elaborated further beyond the remarks it quoted about death and “polemical fiction,” or whether festival organizers released additional program details before or after the event. Further information about Babell’s complete schedule and any related statements would clarify what other topics were addressed during the same appearance.