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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260331
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20251103T103407Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T073850Z
UID:12045-1762513200-1774868399@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Architecture for the People - Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:Architecture for the People \nManchester City Architect’s Department\, 1902-2003 \nFor 101 years\, the City Architect’s Department in the Town Hall served the citizens and met diverse civic needs by designing hundreds of different municipal buildings. They ranged from grand airport terminals to the small public lavatories\, from the high profile like the new Free Trade Hall to the hidden away but essential facilities like mortuaries. \nFor the first time\, this exhibition presents a selection of the works delivered under the direction of the seven official City Architects spanning across the twentieth century. In the early days of the Department\, Manchester Corporation controlled gas and electricity undertakings\, most public transport\, schools\, police\, fire and ambulance services\, waste collection\, parks and recreation\, housing\, libraries\, crematoriums and more. Such responsibilities meant a need for new buildings and the upkeep of existing facilities. The City Architect’s Department designed and delivered these\, changing the face of the city and its suburbs\, providing thousands of new homes\, and scores of schools\, libraries\, public baths\, amongst a host of civic buildings. Using archival photographs\, drawings and ephemera\, the exhibition traces the Department and its buildings\, showing how architectural commissions mirrored the constitution of the Corporation and the changing fortunes of the city. \nCurated by Martin Dodge (University of Manchester) and Richard Brook (Lancaster University) \nFree – just drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/exhibition-architecture-for-the-people/
LOCATION:First Floor Exhibition Hall
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Picture2-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20251126T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260530T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20251127T153720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T143117Z
UID:12209-1764144000-1780160400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:The Great Hall Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:Manchester Town Hall closed in January 2018 and work then began on a labour of love: a once-in-a-lifetime chance to repair\, protect and update this architectural masterpiece for future generations. The Great Hall is the Town Hall’s centrepiece. It includes a huge variety of conservation and restoration projects and is a great example of the work we’re doing throughout the building. Our approach to the unique elements of this  space reflects the level of care needed for the whole project. This exhibition looks at just three details of the Great Hall to tell some of the story of the Our Town Hall project. \n\n\nFree – just drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/the-great-hall-exhibition/
LOCATION:Lower Ground Floor Exhibition Space
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/3-250430-MCC-DSC_0166-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260212T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260530T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260129T083202Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T083306Z
UID:12703-1770883200-1780160400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Shakespeare and Manchester: A Victorian Powerhouse Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:For the first time\, this exhibition tells the story of how seven personalities transformed Manchester into a global centre of Shakespearean theatre in the Victorian era and reveals present day evidence of the city’s innovative engagement with the works of Shakespeare. \nFree – please drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/shakespeare-and-manchester-a-victorian-powerhouse-exhibition/
LOCATION:First Floor Display Cases
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Landscape-Image-for-Shakespeare-Exhibition-2026-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260301T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260530T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260224T141955Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T143044Z
UID:12936-1772352000-1780160400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Building China: People’s Infrastructure
DESCRIPTION:“Building China: People’s Infrastructure” invites audiences to encounter China from the kitchen table and the street corner rather than the skyline. Bringing together photographs and prints from the 1950s to the 1980s with field images from the early 2000s and contemporary works\, the exhibition traces urban change through the ordinary spaces where life unfolds. \nAcross work unit housing\, factory yards\, courtyards\, pavements\, parks and markets\, the exhibition foregrounds infrastructure as lived experience. Socialist era photographs reveal campaigns that sought to educate as they built\, capturing moments of collective labour and care. Reform era scenes register development in motion\, with unfinished structures and provisional arrangements shaping everyday routines. Contemporary contributions attend to elevated roads\, pavements and public spaces as shared infrastructures\, animated through drawing\, film and photography that remain attentive to movement and sound. \n“Building China: People’s Infrastructure” offers a portrait of continuous infrastructuring\, understood as the ongoing adaptation of spaces\, rules and materials to meet everyday needs. By bringing the intimacy of routine practices into focus\, the exhibition reframes one of the world’s most discussed urban transformations through the ordinary scenes that sustain it. \nThis exhibition is supported by The Confucius Institute at The University of Manchester. CI is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026 and this exhibition forms part of our celebrations. Exhibition launch details will be announced shortly. \nLead curator: Prof Deljana Iossifova (Architecture & Urban Studies)\, University of Manchester \nWith contributions from Deljana Iossifova\, Xin Li\, Qiwei Peng\, Ziqiu Ren\, Rujin Wang and photographs by the late David Lea. \nMore information: Building China: People’s Infrastructure | Events at The University of Manchester \nFree – please drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/building-china-peoples-infrastructure/
LOCATION:Lower Ground Floor Link
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2024-08-18-16.09.31-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260302T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260530T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260303T144435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260303T144435Z
UID:13035-1772438400-1780160400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Heritage Meets Heritage - Echoes of Sahyadri
DESCRIPTION:Exhibition featuring 12 UNESCO Heritage Forts. \nOrganised by Leena Desshmukh\, Founder of Sahyadri CIC UK\, in collaboration with Sahyadri Pratishtan India. \nThis exhibition honours the extraordinary hill forts of the Sahyadri mountain range\, recognised as UNESCO World Heritage Sites for their outstanding universal value. These formidable structures stand as enduring symbols of architectural innovation\, strategic brilliance and cultural legacy. \nCarved into rugged landscapes and rising majestically above valleys and coastlines\, the forts represent centuries of vision\, resilience and statecraft. Their sophisticated defence systems\, water management engineering and harmonious integration with natural terrain reflect a remarkable synthesis of art\, science and military intelligence. \nThrough meticulously crafted fort models\, curated historical narratives and immersive visual presentation\, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to engage with this monumental chapter of global heritage. Visitors are invited to experience the spirit\, strength and enduring legacy of the Sahyadri forts in an educational and culturally enriching environment. \nFree – please drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/heritage-meets-heritage-echoes-of-sahyadri/
LOCATION:First Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_1576.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260309T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260529T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260202T150315Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260326T104352Z
UID:12734-1773043200-1780074000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:The Long Road South to find True North
DESCRIPTION:Take a poetry journey from loss to hope\, from home to infinity\, to find your own personal True North.  \n80 people from Cornerstone Day Centre in Hulme\, many affected by homelessness and other issues\, have made poetic paths for all to follow\, opening eyes to a wider world. \nThese restless poems leap from the page into 3-dimensions. Intriguing\, bright and curious poetic paper sculptures\, filled with intense life experience. Navigation tools for the journey – “wish frogs”\, folded globes\, infinity poems. And songs for the journey… \nEchoing the footsteps of the footloose Japanese haiku poet Basho\, our word-magicians lead us onward to help each of us find our own inner Northstar. \nThis year-long project at Caritas Cornerstone Day Centre was co-created by the makers with poet Philip Davenport\, artists Christine Johnson and Darren Marsh. \nFunded by Arts Council England \nFree please drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/the-long-road-south-to-find-true-north/
LOCATION:Archives+ Ground Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/North-Star.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260309T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260630T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260210T141859Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T143208Z
UID:12821-1773043200-1782838800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Exiles and Descendants
DESCRIPTION:This exhibition from Polonia Northern England uncovers the remarkable history of a Polish community (Polonia) deported and displaced during WWII. Through photographs\, letters\, and personal documents\, it showcases experiences of forced deportation\, war crimes\, refuge\, and significant contributions to Britain’s freedom. The exhibition also explores post-war resettlement in exile in Northern England and community efforts to maintain cultural identity whilst Poland was under communist rule. PNE safeguards and shares this history to strengthen collective memory and fill the gaps in historical records. \nFree – please drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/exiles-and-descendants/
LOCATION:Archives+ Ground Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PNE-Banner-Jan-2026-01-1-cropped-for-LL-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260314T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260314T170000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260206T113844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T113844Z
UID:12792-1773475200-1773507600@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Satoshi Yagisawa & Emi Yagi
DESCRIPTION:A celebration of contemporary Japanese fiction\, this special event brings together Satoshi Yagisawa and Emi Yagi to discuss storytelling\, love and loneliness. From the tender life-affirming novel Days at the Morisaki Bookshop\, to the joyful\, queer love story of When the Museum Is Closed\, hear two of Japan’s most exciting writers. Presented by Manchester Literature Festival. Supported by Library Live. \nBook tickets at manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk or click on ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-satoshi-yagisawa-emi-yagi/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Author Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Satoshi-Yagisawa-photo-LL-cropped.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260314T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260314T140000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260218T153107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T143504Z
UID:12901-1773486000-1773496800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:National Memorial Day of Hungary
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a wonderful day of celebration of Hungarian independence organised by the Hungarian Consulate in Manchester. Watch special performances of traditional music and dances and meet the Hungarian community in Manchester. \nPlease note that this event will be in Hungarian. \nFree – please drop in \nPlease make a donation to support our Library Live cultural programme at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes or online
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/national-memorial-day-of-hungary/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/National-Memorial-Day-of-Hungary-scaled.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260314T123000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260314T133000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260203T082004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260203T124347Z
UID:12742-1773491400-1773495000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Irish Dancing Session
DESCRIPTION:In celebration of St Patrick’s Day 2026\, Central Library will be hosting a special Irish dancing display and interactive teaching experience in its Henry Watson Music Library on the First Floor.\n \nTeaming up with the highly acclaimed The Ward-Mallinson School of Irish dancing\, the school will be sending two of their finest dancers who have both been pupils in the School since they were 5 years old. Olivia\, 28\, and Grace\, 19\, are both dancers who are multiple regional title holders and British National Champions. Olivia has also won a Great Britain title. They are world medal holders and recognised as amongst the elite dancers in their respective age groups. \nThe Ward-Mallinson School of Irish dancing was launched in 1995 by Justine Ward-Mallinson. Having started Irish dancing at the age of 8 at the St Chads School of Irish dancing and led a prestigious career\, she has since found great success with her own school\, with classes held at the Irish World Heritage centre. Over the past 30 years\, the school has boasted dancers who have achieved podium placements at World and All Ireland Championships\, plus title winners at Great Britain\, British Nationals and American National Championships. \n \nInviting library users to get into the spirit of St Patrick’s Day with this truly special event\, audiences will be able to watch masters at work\, with opportunities to join in too. \n\nSuitable for all ages. \nAll donations will go to Manchester Libraries. \nTickets are ‘pay-what-you can’ and on sale now here or by clicking ‘Book Now’ below. 1 ticket per customer
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/irish-dancing-session/
LOCATION:Henry Watson Music Library
CATEGORIES:Dance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Ward-Malinson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260314T143000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260314T163000
DTSTAMP:20260405T215049
CREATED:20260202T140230Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260206T114810Z
UID:12724-1773498600-1773505800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:St Patrick’s Ceili Band Experience with Mouse's Nest
DESCRIPTION:It wouldn’t be St Patrick’s Day without a ceili would it? \nSo\, on the weekend before the world goes green for Ireland’s patron saint\, Central Library is hosting a special ceili band and dancing experience in the Henry Watson Music Library. \nCome down on Saturday 14 March\, where local legends\, Mouses Nest\, will perform live in the afternoon to get your St Patrick’s Day weekend swinging. \nHailing from the Northwest\, the Mouse’s Nest have put on storming performances across the UK for over 15 years\, playing weddings\, parties\, fundraisers\, functions\, dance workshops and festivals. Performing in the Henry Watson Music Library for the first time\, the band will be playing an exciting mixture of Celtic tunes\, carefully chosen for audiences to listen and dance to as they like. \nAlongside their accomplished guitarist and fiddle player\, the band will bring an expert ‘caller’ for those who might like to get in-step with some traditional Celtic ceili dancing on the day. The caller will walk each dance through before the music starts and will keep calling to make sure everyone dancing knows exactly what to do. \nA perfect Celtic experience for families to join in the fun this St Patrick’s Day\, catch the Mouse’s Nest on Saturday 14 March from 2.30pm. \nSuitable for all ages \nAll donations will go to Manchester Libraries. \nWhile you’re here…we have a broad selection of books on music which are free to borrow if you have a library card. You can browse our music collection online here or in the Henry Watson Music Library at this event\, and find out how to join the library free here or on the day (just bring along some ID with your home address on to complete sign up and pick up your new library card). \nTickets for the show are ‘pay-what-you-can’. To book\, click on the eventbrite event link here or click the ‘Book Now’ button below.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/st-patricks-ceili-band-experience-with-mouses-nest/
LOCATION:Henry Watson Music Library
CATEGORIES:Dance,Music
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Mouses-nest.jpg
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