The Festival of Libraries will celebrate the literary scene that Manchester has to offer, running from Wednesday 4 − Sunday 8 June all over the region. It will be full of exhibitions, performances, talks, workshops and art installations that all reflect Greater Manchester’s huge pride in its libraries and their value to their communities. The events are scheduled to take place around the whole of Greater Manchester, across 133 libraries.
This year’s festival will take audiences to galaxies far away with Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock and unlock the transformative power of reading with Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce. They will be joined by a whole host of authors, poets, performers, artists and historians all sharing their love of libraries with audiences in a free events programme.
With The John Rylands Library celebrating its 125th birthday, Stockport set to open a brand new library and The Portico working to reunite its historic building under the dome, it’s never been a more exciting time for Greater Manchester libraries.
One of libraries’ most vocal champions, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2024-26, has long been advocating for the difference that reading can make to a child’s life and the vital role that libraries play in communities.
Books for young readers, such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, writing for iconic series such as Dr Who, working alongside Danny Boyle to create the opening ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games and so much more – Frank’s work has proliferated so many different areas of our culture that to hear him chat about these experiences will be fascinating – the event takes place at Leigh Library on Wednesday 4 June.
The talking points that creative, musician, writer and performer Jordan Stephens – whose work has led to appearances in Stars Wars: Rogue One and the Sunday Times Bestsellers list with his book, Avoidance, Drugs, Heartbreak and Dogs – will be bringing to the festival will resonate with many.
He will be chatting to Manchester Slam Champion Griot Gabriel at Manchester Poetry Library on Wednesday 4 June about the power of literature, inclusivity and community as forces for good in life.
At Stalybridge Library on Wednesday 4 June there is the chance to take part in the ‘Comedy Queens on the TV Screen: Manchester’s Working-Class Write Back‘ workshop that explores how women use comedy to tell stories about class, gender, and the realities of life up North, inspired by figures from Caroline Aherne to Sophie Willan – this one’s set to be completely unique, and a lot of fun.
Broadcaster and presenter Yasmin Evans is returning to her roots in Stockport, where she will be appearing at Greater Manchester’s newest library: the Stockroom on Friday 6 June. A radio career that has taken her from community to national radio and presenting on a range of TV shows including CBBC’s Saturday Mash Up! means there’’s lots to chat about.
Sean Keaveny has also just been announced as part of the Inspired By line up. Events are endless, with the likes of silent discos, global performances and installations, and the chance to explore plenty of different cultures, styles and mediums when it comes to writing and reading.
To find out more about when and at which library all guests will appear, and for more information on the whole Festival of Libraries, visit the website here.