We love celebrating people who have done great things here in Manchester, which is what makes our city so wonderful. As such, the line-up has been announced for Women of the World (WOW) festival, debuting in Manchester this weekend.
Over two days and three evenings this weekend (Friday 24 − Sunday 26 May) the world’s biggest, most comprehensive festival celebrating women, girls and non-binary people will bring together inspiring speakers at Aviva Studios, including Australia’s first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard, actors Maxine Peake and Zawe Ashton, Manchester legend DJ Paulette, author Chimene Suleyman, and activist Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe to find solutions to the pressing issues of gender inequality and celebrate the achievements of women, girls and non-binary people both in the North West and globally.
Jude Kelly will open the Saturday programme with Julia Gillard as they explore the world women, girls and non-binary people face today and look to the future with optimism and hope. Conversations will follow throughout the day spanning a huge range of topics from menopause myths to football, and reproductive justice to being a basic witch.
DJ Paulette, one of the Hacienda’s few woman DJs, will explore the rich tapestry of Manchester music venues from the city’s iconic past, many of which have been lost due to gentrification. The session will look at the impact of absent women from these venues, how buildings shape our cultural landscapes and how we can build inclusive spaces that embody local histories, people and surroundings whilst honouring the shape of their futures.
Author Chimene Suleyman, whose new memoir The Chain starts in an abortion clinic and ends in finding community and sisterhood, will look at how relationships can quickly turn sour and why society allows persistent misogyny to thrive.
Sunday at WOW Manchester will explore topics such as menstrual mapping, gentrification, age, sex, and comedy. Acclaimed actor Maxine Peake joins Jude Kelly to open the Sunday programme with a session about Manchester, the arts, and what the future looks like for the creative industries.
Menstrual mood mapping will offer a fun, calming and creative workshop that explores the different phases and moods of menstrual cycles using collage techniques to chart hormone highs and lows, challenge myths and misogyny, and delve into the depiction of periods in popular culture.
WOW’s Marketplace filled with over 50 pop-up stores, experiences, and happenings to explore will feature talks, workshops and more led by Greater Manchester’s rich and diverse talent.
There will be a showcase of artworks, film, craft and more from across South Asia in partnership with the British Council, and Namibian artist and activist Ina-Maria Shikongo will exhibit a specially commissioned new installation commission by The Commonwealth Foundation, linking the stories of women and children in the fight for climate justice globally.
Jude Kelly CBE, CEO and Founder of The WOW Foundation said: “For our first festival in the Northwest we’re thrilled to be joined at the iconic Aviva Studios by such an inspirational group of friends – old and new – artists, activists, thinkers, speakers who are doing wonderful things both on the ground in Manchester and right across the globe.
“Together with our partner, Factory International, WOW Manchester will provide a space for everyone to come together in celebration of the rich diversity of stories across the region, to create community, hold frank and determined conversations, and explore meaningful solutions as we continue to work together to achieve a gender equal world.”
Day tickets for both the Saturday and Sunday of WOW Manchester are still on sale, as well as weekend tickets, here.