MCRCityofLit

MCRCityofLit Manchester was designated a Creative City of Literature by UNESCO in 2017, we're the independent charity working on behalf of that designation.

Home of Festival of Libraries. Manchester is delighted to join UNESCO’s worldwide Creative Cities network as a City of Literature. A consortium including the City Council, the universities, Manchester Literature Festival and the city’s writers, publishers and literary organisations has formed to enable this to happen. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all of the things that make our cit

y such a dynamic, diverse and inspiring place for the written and spoken word. It’s a chance to think big and develop exciting, collaborative literary projects aimed at getting people reading, writing and enjoying literature. The city joins others including Baghdad, Dublin, Barcelona, Prague, Melbourne, and Reykjavik in the global network.

04/06/2026

Next week's Rhyme Time is getting a tasty twist!🍎

On Thursday 11th June, we're swapping singing and bubbles for Tasting Children's Literature: An Edible Read-A-Thon - a special event as part of Festival of Libraries 2026 with MCRCityofLit.

An immersive storytime experience for little ones up to age 8, exploring children's books through taste, drawing, and the foods that mean most to them and their communities.

📅 Thursday 11 June, 10am 📍 Z-arts | Free
👉 Find out more and book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tasting-childrens-literature-an-edible-readathon-tickets-1987321076838?msockid=023e09534c156be808ae1fc94ded6a7c

04/06/2026

What does a festival of libraries look like when the library is no longer a library?

This month, Levenshulme Old Library joins the MCRCityofLit Festival of Libraries 2026 with a programme that reflects what the building has become - a community-led arts centre bubbling with creativity, culture and community.

Across three days we'll be exploring comics, film, performance, migration, justice and imagination through a series of free events:

- Comic Creativty Galore - create your own comics with Jim Medway and Phoenix Comics
- Ghost Hunting - a powerful documentary exploring the experiences of former Palestinian prisoners, presented by the Muslim Social Justice Initiative
- The Quest for Planet P - an imaginative family performance from the great Knotted Hawk
- The Rising Sun - Alyona Kaporina's moving documentary about Ukrainian families building new lives in Manchester, followed by a discussion with the director

Festival of Libraries celebrates the places where people come together to share ideas, stories and experiences - we're proud that Levenshulme Old Library continues to be one of those places.

All events are free and everyone is welcome.

Find out more and book your tickets here: https://levenshulmeoldlibrary.org.uk/2026/06/03/manchester-festival-of-libraries-at-levenshulme-old-library/

This year’s boasts close to a dozen exhibitions - celebrating photography, comics, visual art, literature and more. 🎟️...
04/06/2026

This year’s boasts close to a dozen exhibitions - celebrating photography, comics, visual art, literature and more. 🎟️

🌧️ Manc Holes and Beyond | 1st-30th June, Urmston Library
This exhibition celebrates something you walk over, and past, every day: manholes. These well-trodden yet often overlooked works of art that adorn the streets, roads and pavements of Manchester and beyond.

📖 I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell | 1st-30th June, Rochdale Central Library
Three young writers - , , and Guruleen Kahlo were each awarded a residency at . Through their eyes, visitors will discover just how much there is to the inspiring world of Elizabeth Gaskell.

📓Elias Canetti | 1st-30th June, Didsbury Library
This exhibition tells the story of Nobel Prize-winning author Elias Canetti. The first volume of his memoirs, which won him the Nobel Prize in 1981, details his formative stint in Manchester. The exhibition brings his story back to where it began.

📸 KFOR and Kosovo | 1st-30th June, Sale Library
Internationally acclaimed Heartstone photojournalist Nick Sidle was embedded with several UK regiments in 2000 to document the human story of life after the 1999 war in Kosova. This exhibition presents a selection of images from the full 100-image photostory.

💡 Brossa | 1st June-31st July,
Joan Brossa: The Mental Feeling of Complete Happiness brings the work of one of Barcelona’s most inventive poetic voices to Manchester, alongside new work and interpretation by students from

This is just a small selection from over 100 events taking place during the festival. Follow the link in our bio for the full lineup.

🎉 Bobby Seagull is Inspired By Libraries 🎉Join us at Altrincham Library Trafford Libraries on 13th June to hear from mat...
03/06/2026

🎉 Bobby Seagull is Inspired By Libraries 🎉

Join us at Altrincham Library Trafford Libraries on 13th June to hear from maths teacher and broadcaster Bobby Seagull at this year’s .

After a career in investment banking and accountancy, Bobby Seagull trained as a school maths teacher before an appearance on University Challenge led to a career in presenting for radio and TV. He is an ambassador for National Numeracy, the author of ‘The Life Changing Magic of Numbers’ and was the co-host of Monkman and Seagull’s Genius Guide to Britain (BBC Two).

Bobby is passionate about inspiring people of all ages to build their confidence with maths. At this special event, hear from Bobby about the wonderful world of numbers, and the role that libraries have played in his journey to becoming a teacher on the telly.

Tickets are by donation - click the link in our bio to find out more.

Arts Council England

03/06/2026

Look for a Book highlights.

We loved seeing our young adventurers find a copy of Put Your Records On! We hope you all enjoyed the hunt. Don't forget to share your thoughts on the book with us.

📚Look For A Book 2026📚Last week was filled with hunting around libraries in Greater Manchester and on the . It has been ...
02/06/2026

📚Look For A Book 2026📚

Last week was filled with hunting around libraries in Greater Manchester and on the . It has been amazing to see copies of Corinne Bailey Rae’s ‘Put Your Records On’ being found, alongside the golden tickets. 🏆

As well as Corinne’s new book, those with golden tickets will have the chance to meet her at a very special event during this year’s .

Manchester City of Literature’s Festival of Libraries returns on the 10th-14th June. There are over a hundred events as part of the festival, and you can find out all about them in the programme on our website through the link in our bio.

🎉 Divina De Campo is 🎉Join us at Oldham Library on 12th June to hear from - star of UK - at this year’s . Divina de...
01/06/2026

🎉 Divina De Campo is 🎉

Join us at Oldham Library on 12th June to hear from - star of UK - at this year’s .

Divina de Campo is a seasoned British drag queen and singer who was crowned runner-up on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series 1. In addition to her Drag Race fame, Divina has made waves with a UK Top 40 single as part of the girl group The Frock Destroyers. Known for her high soprano and four-octave range, she has also been featured on ITV’s The Voice and the BBC’s All Together Now.

In this special one off event, Divina swaps the sequins for the shelves to discuss the role that libraries and literature have played in her creativity and activism.

Tickets are by donation: https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/event/inspired-by-libraries-with-divina-de-campo/

01/06/2026

Olive Branch back in Belgium
🎬
“Olive Branch” is een energieke, grappige en feelgood openluchtvoorstelling voor het hele gezin. Twee personages ontmoeten elkaar in een magisch bos. Via een mix van hedendaagse dans, gevechtskunst en acrobatie leren ze hun meningsverschillen te overbruggen om samen Moeder Natuur te beschermen.
Choreografie, concept & dans: Laura Vanhulle & Oliver Robert Russell

Muziekcompositie: Domenico Angarano

Dramaturgie: Sue Buckmaster

Producent: Adam Towndrow

Kostuumontwerp: Kyla Little

Repetitieleider / “Outside eye”: Chris Knight

“Olive Branch” is a feel-good, dynamic outdoor duet that blends contemporary dance, martial arts, and high-energy acrobatics. The story follows two strangers who meet in a magical forest, learn to overcome their communication differences, and work together to protect Mother Nature. It is highly visual, funny, and perfect for families and children.

Funded and supported by 🇬🇧🇧🇪

31/05/2026

It’s Coffee Time with the Manchester City of Literature!
📍Today’s Stop: Manchester, England
☕Tea Shop: Elizabeth Gaskell’s House- Tea Room
📚 Recommended Read: Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell

For the next twelve days, we are sharing cups of coffee with the Cities of Literature from around the world! Today we are sharing a cup of tea with the Manchester City of Literature Team at their recommended favorite spot, the Elizabeth Gaskell House. The recommended book to read at this stop is Elizabeth Gaskell’s very own, Mary Barton.

Mary Barton is a novel set right in the heart of Manchester and tells the story of a trade unionist’s daughter who finds herself torn between two worlds- one with the working-class Jem Wilson, and the other with the mill owner’s son, Henry Carson.

✨Every morning for the next twelve days, we will be taking you to a new City of Literature to share a cup of coffee, discover a new featured book from that respective city, and discover a new local spot to share a cup of joe! Join us for the next twelve days to travel the cities of literature through books and coffee ☕

31/05/2026

It's time to Look For A Book!! 🔍

Book No.8 is hidden somewhere in Oldham Library.

CLUE: You can listen to more than music here!🎧

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