Celebrate history at the Manchester Histories Festival this June

The Manchester Histories Festival is returning to the city for the 5th time to celebrate the diverse histories and heritage of Manchester.

 

June 7th – 11th will see the festival telling Manchester’s vibrant story, with some of the key moments in everyone’s history that Manchester has played a central role in.

There will be talks, walks, screenings, performances and more. Not only this, but the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Representation of the People Act and the 150%th anniversary of the formation of the Trades Union Congress will be celebrated too.

Chief Executive of Manchester Histories, Karen Shannon, says, “2018 is a historically monumental year for Greater Manchester,, as the place that gave birth to the suffragette movement and the Trade Union Congress.

“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.”

Some of the most intriguing chapters of Greater Manchester’s histories will be explored, whilst encompassing music, film, debate, talks, theatre, walking tours, arts and much more.

“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,” Karen continues. “We are offering the opportunity to everyone who lives in, works in, or is visiting Manchester to delve into and discover its stories.”

The highlight events taking place of the course of the 5 days are:

 

Soapbox

 

Friday 8th – 10th June from 2pm – 7pm (except Sunday, 6pm) on All Saints Park.

Special hosts, Toria Garbutt and Young Identity Collective, will be inviting people to get on their soapbox in a pop-up speakers corner.

There will also be theatre performances about the suffragettes and recreations of historical moments, as well as raps about the effect of debt and live music inspired by protest.

 

TUC Day

 

Friday 8th June, from 9:30am – Book tickets at www.manchesterhistories.co.uk

This will mark the 150th Anniversary of the formation of the TUC (Trades Union Congress) in Manchester and Salford in 1868.

Dave Haslam, DJ, writer and creative consultant for Manchester Histories, has created a day of events and screenings that begin with the early story of the movement and finishes with an in conversation event.

 

Not the factory: Manchester’s Other Electronic Music Histories

 

Sunday 10th June, from 12pm – 4pm in Manchester Central Library.

There will be over 60 exhibition stands that offer an array of activities, for example, protest printing with Hot Bed Press to make your own suffragette sash.

Organisations from all over Greater Manchester will come together to showcase the spirit of Manchester, with performances from the Hallé Youth Choir, along with talks and discussion.

 

Debating Day

 

Monday 11th June, in Manchester Central Library.

There will be discussions, debates, and sharing of ideas taking place on Debating Day.

You can join the discussions taking place throughout the day in Manchester Central Library, or you can take part via a live twitter stream, using #DebateMcrHist.

 

Festival Hub

 

From 8th June – 11th June, the Festival Hub will be Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square M2 5PD.

 

For the full Festival listings and further information visit: www.manchesterhistories.co.uk