Refugee stories: Journeys Festival International at HOME

Astonishing asylum seekers and irrepressible refugees are the themes of Journeys Festival International, back at HOME for a second year running. The festival takes place over two weeks in many Manchester venues, with artworks, plays, workshops and discussions designed to inspire and challenge. HOME will play host to a mixed bag of festival events, some of which are free, and all of which share stories of the refugee experience. Here’s what to look out for.

Rekrei VR Installation

The HOME foyer will have a high-tech treat. The Rekrei VR experience will show you monuments and museums damaged by natural disasters or human intervention. The 3D data has been pulled from crowd-sourced photos, and will plunge you into a world of lost heritage around the globe. No admission fee – just drop by.
Mon 2 – Wed 4 Oct, HOME, 12pm–9pm, FREE, www.homemcr.org

In Another Life + Q&A

Manchester director Jason Wingard went to the Calais jungle to shoot this docu-drama about Syrian war refugees. The story follows Adnan and Bana as they leave their camp for a risky journey to the UK. Wingard has scooped many awards for his animations and documentaries, and he will host a Q&A after this screening of ‘In Another Life’.
Tue 3 Oct, HOME, 6.10pm, £9, www.homemcr.org

Palmyra & Post show discussion

Theatre duo Bert & Nasi follow up their debut show ‘Eurohouse’ with a tense political stage drama. ‘Palmyra’ explores what it’s like to be a barbarian. The show is part of the Orbit 2017 festival – and as part of Journeys Festival International, stick around after the Wednesday performance to see the show’s stars in discussion with humanitarian expert Dr Gemma Sou and Rekrei creator Matthew Vincent.
Tue 3 & Wed 4 Oct, HOME, Tue 9pm, Wed 7pm & Q&A, £12.50, www.homemcr.org

Telling the History of Journeys

Much of the Journeys Festival is about home – and being far from home. Artist and performer Selina Thompson will join historian Peter Gatrell to discuss the history of journeys, and how those stories can be retold through art. This free drop-in conversation will open with an excerpt from Selina Thompson’s theatre piece ‘salt’, in which artists retrace Atlantic slave trade routes. Check HOME for full ‘salt’ performance times.
Sat 7 Oct, HOME, 5.30pm, FREE, www.homemcr.org

Lemn Sissay: Something Dark

Manchester’s legendary wordsmith Lemn Sissay will revive his one-man play ‘Something Dark’ for the Journeys Festival. The work has been performed across the world and was adapted for BBC Radio. His monologue tells the tale of his childhood in care, and his search for his true identity. The piece was originally commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre and Manchester’s Contact Theatre.
Fri 13 Oct, HOME, 7.30pm, £15, www.homemcr.org

Mon 2 – Sun 15 Oct, HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester, M15 4FN. Tel: 0161 200 1500, times and prices vary, www.homemcr.org