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.

21/08/2026

The 2026 Manchester Cathedral Poetry Competition will open for entries on 26 August with the theme of ‘unsung city.’ 🌃

The competition is inviting poems that seek out stories from the archives, revisit forgotten aspects of local history and celebrate unsung social histories in Greater Manchester.

There will be a prize ceremony at Manchester Cathedral on 24th January 2027. All commended and prize winning poems will be collated and printed in an anthology pamphlet.

Entrants can be of any age, and poems can be written in any form. For full details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, click the link in our bio.

⏰ Deadline: midnight, October 21st.

18/08/2026

Tartu City of Literature is inviting applications from writers and translators for their Autumn 2026 residency. 📝

The residency aims to increase international exchange and communication, offer a creative and inspiring environment and provide writers with an opportunity to introduce their work to Estonian readers.

For full details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, click the link in our bio.

⏰ Deadline: 1 Sept 2026.
Kirjanduslinn Tartu

14/08/2026

The Bucheon City of Literature Office is inviting applications for their 2026 Residency Programme. 🎉

The residency is open to writers poets, translators and graphic storytellers with at least 1 published work and an affiliation to a UNESCO City of Literature.

The selected writer will be invited to take part in local literary culture, whilst also working on a personal creative project.

For full details, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, click the link in our bio.

⏰ Deadline: 28 August 2026.

13/08/2026

Join Manchester’s Multilingual City Poets, Jeremy Pak Nelson and Nóra Blascsók, for an evening of new poetry, memory and storytelling presented by Manchester Literature Festival Manchester City Of Literature Manchester Poetry Library.

A celebration of Manchester’s multilingual voices and the traditions that endure, evolve and connect us.

📅 Thu 15 Oct, 6pm
📍Manchester Poetry Library, Manchester Metropolitan University  🎟️Tickets & info: click the link in our bio.

Manchester Literature Festival runs from 9-25 October 2026, and the full programme is now on sale.

22/07/2026

Granada UNESCO City of Literature has opened applications for their 2026 Writers in Residence programme. 📝

There are 2 places on offer for writers residing in any country and writing in any language. Residents will stay at Corrala de Santiago, University of Granada.

Granada City of Literature will invite the chosen writers to engage with Granada’s literary life, meet local authors, participate in workshops and educational activities - whilst also working on their own projects.

⏰ Deadline: 6 Sept 2026.

https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/opportunity/open-call-granada-writers-in-residence/

21/07/2026

We love a map here at Manchester City of Literature, so we’re delighted to be featured on the new UNESCO in the UK Industrial Heritage trail 🗺️

The trail brings together 22 UNESCO designations in celebration of the UK’s internationally significant industrial heritage.

Manchester is famously the UK’s first industrial city - and this identity is inextricably interwoven with our status as a UNESCO City of Literature.

We’d recommend dropping in to incredible spots like Science and Industry Museum (pictured), The Portico Library and Castlefield Viaduct to find out more ⚙️

https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/news/launch-of-the-uk-industrial-heritage-trail/

UNESCO in the UK The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Photo Credit: Drew Forsyth

16/07/2026

You might spot some new faces around here… We’re delighted to welcome three new board members to our Board of Trustees this month 🎉

Please give a warm welcome to , Danielle Bassan and Louisa Craggs as they join us to share their skills and experience as we head towards our ten year anniversary of being a UNESCO City of Literature.

You can find out more about the whole team on our website, under ‘Who We Are’.

02/07/2026

Catch our new public artwork 'Let Wildflowers Bloom' by Manchester City Poet Nora Blascsok, BCN Literatura Poet Esteve Plantada and Manchester Artist at Welcome HOME Arches for another few weeks.

The multilingual poem was specially commissioned for 2026. Barcelona was our guest City of Literature at this year’s festival, and the poem celebrates the multitude of cultures that enrich both of our creative cities.

You can see the piece on Whitworth Street West until the end of July, featured as part of the celebrations when Catalan artists will perform on the streets of Manchester.

Head to the poetry section on our website to read the poem in full, with English, Catalan and Hungarian translations. 🌷🌻🌼

UNESCO in the UK Barcelona Cultura

Address

Victoria Street
Manchester
M3 1SX

Website

http://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/

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