Manchester Histories Festival, celebrating the region’s diverse histories and heritage, is returning for its fifth edition over a long-weekender next month.
This year’s festival weaves the vibrant story of what makes Manchester the city it is with some of the key moments in everyone’s history that Manchester has played a central role in.
The 100th anniversary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act – which gave some women the vote – and the 150th anniversary of the formation of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) will be very much the backdrop to the event.
Karen Shannon, Chief Executive of Manchester Histories, said: “2018 is a historically monumental year for Greater Manchester, as the place that gave birth to the suffragette movement and the Trades Union Congress.
“So we are placing these at the forefront of this year’s festival as we explore the themes of protest, democracy and freedom of speech to illuminate many of the fascinating parts of our collective heritage, which have led to sea-changes across British society.
“Manchester is a city for all, just as this festival is for all, with the programme designed in a way that there’s something to suit everyone, from young families to avid history enthusiasts.
“We are offering the opportunity to everyone who lives in, works in, or isvisiting Manchester to delve into and discover its stories.”
The festival will pull back the curtain on some of the most intriguing, and often over-looked, chapters of Greater Manchester’s histories and will encompass music, film, debate, talks, theatre, walking tours, arts and much more.
Organisers hope each event will excite, inspire and illuminate; from a TUC Day curated by Dave Haslam to the family-friendly Manchester Histories Celebration Day at Manchester Central Library.
Throughout the festival there are events taking place in and around Greater Manchester; from Gallery Oldham’s exhibition on votes for women to Bolton Central Library’s dramatisation from the Mass Observation’s Worktown Survey of everyday life in a Lancashire cotton town.
Alexandra Park’s Chorlton Lodge will be showing footage of the many vast political rallies it has hosted, whilst Bury’s Met (formerly Derby Hall) will be exploring its own colourful history as both a music venue and formerly a court of law.
The festival is curated by Manchester Histories, a growing and dynamic charity that works collaboratively with people, organisations, and partners to reveal, share and celebrate Greater Manchester’s diverse histories and heritage.
For a full calendar of events or more information click here.
