Book now: Embark on an art and culture journey from Manchester to Azerbaijan with MACFest 2021

The annual Muslim Arts and Culture Festival – or MACFest as it’s known for short – has unveiled the initial line up for its five-month long 2021 celebration, aiming to take viewers on a voyage of arts and culture via a wide array of digital panels, talks and events. This award-winning festival is hosted right here in Manchester and invites speakers from across the world to come together and celebrate art, literature, music, history, culture, photography, cuisine, children, youth and women, alongside the heritage of the Muslim diaspora. 2021’s festival boasts over 70 different events scattered throughout the first part of the year – most of which are free and available online – and encourages communities of all backgrounds to come together to discuss and celebrate creativity.

Key events for your diaries start with the festival’s opening keynote address on Sunday 24 January which invites Ambassador Akbar S. Ahmed, author and Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies at American University’s School of International Service, to discuss the Muslim experience in Europe. From there, viewers can expect live-streamed stand up comedy from comic Jeff Mirza on Sunday January 31, a panel discussion on Islam in Victorian Britain featuring community historians Yahya Birt and Christina Longden on Wednesday 3 February, a poetry and performance bonanza on Tuesday 9 February, and a session of arts and cultural activities hosted by staff and pupils at Stockport and Trafford colleges on Thursday 4 March.

All of the above is just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to MACFest 2021’s full offering. To browse their complete line up and to book tickets to their many eclectic events, visit their website here or via the booking button below.