Entering its 11th year, Manchester Literature Festival continues its growth – and this year will be showcasing more writers and literary events than ever before. With book launches, Q&As, bright new talents and the annually anticipated walking tours, this year is packed to the rafters with the great and the good of the literary world. Below are our Top 5 picks for this year’s festival.
MLF is always big on promoting the joy of reading and literature to the next generation and they have a willing companion on that quest in Michael Rosen. The fifth Children’s Laureate and one of Britain’s most loved poets will be performing his writing at Z-Arts for an event aimed at children of 7+. The performance also ties in with Z-Art’s Bear Hunt exhibition, which will feature a massive chocolate cake and a large larder.
Fri 7 Oct, Z-Arts, 335 Stretford Road, Hulme, Manchester, M15 5ZA, 10.30am, 1.30pm & 4.30pm, £5, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
The Good Immigrant is a timely reminder of the importance of literature as a way of telling the stories of people who are made to feel on the outside of a culture. Featuring Inua Ellams, Himesh Patel, Miss L & Nikesh Shukla, the event brings together some of the biggest names in BAME writing and performance for a thought-provoking and current night of essays and stories on race, culture and belonging.
Tue 11 Oct, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St West, Manchester, M1 5WW, 7.30pm, £10/£8, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
In conjunction with Guardian Live and Centre for New Writing, one of the most hotly anticipated events sees literary starlet Jonathan Safran-Foer in conversation with Jeanette Winterson. Jonathan Safren Foer’s debut novel Everything Is Illuminated was the recipient of much critical acclaim and many an award before being turned into a film with Elijah Wood. His latest book, Here I Am, sees a family trying to keep itself together on the eve of a Bar Mitzvah for a child who has just done something so wrong the whole thing may be cancelled – not forgetting their own personal troubles too. Two heavyweights of the literary world will no doubt have plenty to say on family, culture and belonging.
Tue 11 Oct, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD, 6.30pm, £10/£8, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Manchester’s very own two-time Saboteur Award-winning night Bad Language bring a stalwart of the Manchester poetry and comedy scene to the Anthony Burgess Centre for a night of poetry and new writing. Henry Normal is best known for his work with Baby Cow productions and Steve Coogan, helping to create classic sitcoms such as The Royle Family. The new collection from ‘the Alan Bennett of poetry’, Staring Directly At The Eclipse brings poems about death and frailty together. He will be joined by local poets Melissa Lee-Houghton and Geneviève Walsh.
Sat 8 Oct, International Anthony Burgess Centre, 3 Cambridge Street, Manchester, M1 5BY, 7.30pm, £8/£6, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Two of the most exciting spoken word poets in the UK are brought together for a special joint show as Hollie McNish (pictured) and Salena Godden bring their electric and much-loved poetry to Gorilla. McNish has quickly established herself as one of the brightest stars of spoken word, following hotly on the footsteps of Kate Tempest as she brings her humour to the topic of becoming a mother and what women face in everyday life. Godden is one of the most electric performers in Britain and has cultivated a following based on her lively and funny live shows. Together they will bring one of the hottest poetry nights of the year.
Wed 19 Oct, Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St West, Manchester, M1 5WW, 7.30pm, £10/£8, www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Fri 7 – Sun 23 Oct, Various venues, times and prices, Full info at www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
- Words:
- Joe Daly
- Published on:
- Tue 18 Oct 2016
