Top 4: Journeys Festival refugee artists events inc. Pussy Riot, films & kites

Journeys Festival, which takes place in early October, is a 12-day celebration of work by refugee artists that’s happening in Manchester, Leicester and Portsmouth. Here in Manchester, the event taking place at a range of venues in the city and seeks to showcase the artistic talent and life stories of people from immigrant backgrounds. Four highlights include.:-

1. Kite Making Workshops
This is one for the kids. The festival has teamed up with Infinite Arts to offer kids the chance to make kites based on traditional Indian and Afghan designs.
Sat 1 Oct, 10am-noon, Wythenshawe Forum; 2.30-4.30pm, North City Library, Rochdale Road, Manchester M9 4AF; noon-4pm, Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD, FREE www.journeysfestival.com

2. Burning Door ft. Maria Alyokhina at Contact
The Belarus Free Theatre’s Burning Doors at the Contact. This play, which features Maria Alyokhina of Pussy Riot, tells the story of artists living under a dictatorship.
Mon 10 – Wed 12 Oct, Contact Theatre, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA, Tel: 0161 274 0600, 8.00pm, £15/£10, www.journeysfestival.com

3. Journeys Festival at Manchester Museum
The Festival also takes over Manchester Museum for day with a pop-up theatre, concert, and spoken word performances in tow.
Sat 8 Oct, Manchester Museum, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, Tel. 0161 275 2634, 11.00am – 5.00pm, FREE, www.journeysfestival.com

4. Mali music doc They Will Have to Kill Us First screening at Nexus
Finally, there’s a screening of documentary film, They Will Have to Kill Us First at Nexus Art Café in the NQ. It focusses on musicians in Mali in the wake of 2012 jihadist takeover, when music was banned.
Sun 2 Oct, Nexus Art Café, 2 Dale Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1JW, 6.00pm, FREE, www.journeysfestival.com

Sat 1 – Wed 12 Oct, several venues throughout the city, times and prices vary, www.journeysfestival.com