By Edward Roberts & Ruth Dacey
An alternative opening ceremony to the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics is coming to Manchester in February.
The event is being hosted by the LGBT community who are protesting the anti-gay legislation in Russia, the home of the Olympics.
Spread over 24 hours, Canal Street will stage a mock ceremony including a sports-themed parade that will see medals presented to members of the community.
The main event has been named To Russia with Love and will showcase a selection of dramatic performances written for the occasion.
The project’s artistic director, Adam Zane, believes this unique method of protest is vital under the circumstances.
The former Queer as Folk actor said: “I think our protests need to be intelligent and well thought out.
“We have to keep in mind that there are LGBT people in Russia who need to hear our support and if you are just shouting your message then are they going to hear it?”
Recent peaceful activism in Manchester has seen the LGBT community stage a vodka boycott in an attempt to dent the Russian economy, but many international rallies are seeing a string of violence incidents.
However, Mr Zane is urging people to keep protests calm and positive.
He said: “To say ‘Let’s stand in the street and burn an effigy of Putin’ is not the best way to celebrate our community and send support.”
Russia has come under attack after implementing controversial legislation in June this year that banned ‘propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations.’
The punishable offence has spurred on many outbursts of hate and violence against their LGBT citizens.
As hosts of the Winter Olympics this has caused many to question their suitability for this role.
Mr Zane said: “With Russia holding the games and in the running for the Capital of Culture, they are getting a lot of publicity as a country and we need to make a stand.
“I think it’s a lot easier for people to ignore what’s going on because it’s not happening in the UK.
“That’s why we need to educate, we need to be out on the street and we need to protest.
“When I look back to Section 28 in the 1980s, there were 20,000 marching through Manchester; can you imagine that happening today?
Several well-known writers will be taking part and will produce original material for the occasion, including playwright Rob Ward.
The author of ‘Away from Home’ revealed his work will focus on Olympic boxers who are both opponents and lovers.
He admitted that while the current atmosphere in Russia is frightening, he is optimistic about what the games could bring.
“It’s horrifying, it’s really scary,” he said.
“Their government’s explanations for their laws are illogical; it’s ignorance, which is dangerous.
“But, there is an opportunity for an openly gay athlete to go to Russia, win a gold medal and be openly proud about it. That could be a really big event in history.”
“I don’t think people should look at sexuality as being a barrier in sport and the Olympic Games, as well as celebrating sport should also celebrate humanity and diversity.”
Thousands are expected to gather in some way over the 24-hour protest and organisers are hoping this will help them reach a wide demographic, particularly young people.
Those aged-14-and-up are encouraged to attend and some of the work will focus directly on how the youth in society are effected by the international issue.
Playwright Chris Hoyle, whose work will also be performed, admits his work is inspired by teenagers he has worked with.
The 33-year-old said: “I’ve been surprised to find out that there are a lot of gay teenagers who don’t go to school because they have been victims of gay bullying.
“They are being taught at home and being excluded from society which I find quite strange to be happening in Manchester.
Mr Hoyle is hopeful that the peaceful message being sent can greatly impact not just Russia, but the UK too.
“People need to have the realisation of how far we’ve come, but also how far we’ve got to go.”
“It’s important to remember that Manchester is twinned with St Petersburg and we have a massive responsibility to send a message home to everyone there.”
There will be an open public meeting on Sunday November 24 at Taurus Bar between 4 and 6pm.
Image courtesy of Contact Theatre Manchester, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
