BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Library Live - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://librarylive.co.uk
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Library Live
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20250101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260713T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261231T170000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260716T084757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T074519Z
UID:14167-1783929600-1798736400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Queer Up North 1992–2002: Celebrating Manchester's LGBTQ+ Heritage
DESCRIPTION:Explore bold and beautiful material from Queer Up North 1992–2002. Established in 1992 by Tanja Farman and Gavin Barlow as part of the original Manchester Festival\, Queer Up North quickly became a beacon for queer culture\, drawing artists and audiences from across the globe. Over its first decade\, the festival showcased groundbreaking performances and played a pivotal role in shaping Manchester’s identity as an inclusive and vibrant LGBTQIA+ city. \nIn late 2024\, Queer Up North 1992–2002: Celebrating Manchester’s LGBTQIA+ Heritage was awarded funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund\, with additional support from The Granada Foundation. This funding marked a significant milestone in preserving Manchester’s rich LGBTQIA+ heritage\, focusing on the Queer Up North festivals held between 1992 and 2002. \nAll items on display\, unless otherwise stated\, are drawn from the Queer Up North collection held at Manchester Central Library. You can also listen to a fascinating series of oral histories about the festival in our Sound & Vision pods. \nSpecial thanks to Archives+. \nPhoto credit: Pamela Sneed \nFree – drop in
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/queer-up-north-1992-2002-celebrating-manchesters-lgbtq-heritage/
LOCATION:Archives+ Ground Floor
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/M800_8_1081-Pamela-Sneed-CREDIT-Unknown.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260807T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261031T170000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260716T140408Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T140408Z
UID:14176-1786089600-1793466000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:In the ordinary\, there is always the extraordinary
DESCRIPTION:As a working-class artist and photographer\, Tricia Ashworth has always been fascinated by what society deems ordinary. The beauty\, the nuances\, humour\, strength and steeliness of everyday life in the ordinary. This exhibition of portraits\, from the north-west and beyond\, explores and celebrates the extraordinary. \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/in-the-ordinary-there-is-always-the-extraordinary/
LOCATION:Ground Floor (Oculus Area)
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/In-the-ordinary-there-is-always-the-extraordinary-exhibition.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260908T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20270102T170000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260907T074834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260910T105141Z
UID:14605-1788854400-1798909200@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Schinkel in Manchester 1826-2026
DESCRIPTION:An exhibition of architectural models by students from the Manchester School of Architecture of early nineteenth buildings in Berlin and Manchester created to celebrate the bicentenary of the brief visit of the Prussian court architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel (1781-1841) to Manchester on July 17 1826. \nDuring his ‘English’ journey Schinkel was brought into direct contact with the industrial progress of Britain in many sites across the country. In Manchester\, and specifically in Ancoats\, he saw an industrial town developing at full spate. As Nikolaus Pevsner described it Schinkel ‘had never seen anything like that\, and indeed could not have seen it anywhere else’. \nThe exhibition compares six of Schinkel’s buildings in Berlin with six similar contemporary buildings in Manchester\, by the architects Charles Barry (1795 – 1860)\, Francis Goodwin (1784-1835) and the anonymous ‘mere foremen’ (as Schinkel described them) who were building the mills and warehouses that were in his view ‘nothing but monstrous masses of red brick … without any trace of architecture …’ \nThere will also be a special talk about this exhibition in the Performance Space on 30 September – see event details here \nFree – just drop in. \nPlease consider making a donation if you can here or at one of our cash or contactless donation boxes in Central Library
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/schinkel-in-manchester-1826-2026/
LOCATION:Wolfson Reading Room
CATEGORIES:Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_7567-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261005T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261214T160000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260916T111306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260916T111600Z
UID:14697-1791205200-1797264000@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Threads of a City: The Manchester Tapestry Project – Stitching Workshops
DESCRIPTION:Join Manchester Histories for Threads of a City: The Manchester Tapestry Project\, an ambitious community artwork celebrating the stories\, people and heritage of Greater Manchester. Together\, communities are helping to create 30 large tapestry panels exploring different aspects of the city-region’s history\, from 1853 to the present day. \nNow it’s time to bring those stories to life in stitch. Join our regular Monday stitching sessions at Manchester Central Library and contribute directly to the tapestry\, working alongside other participants on this unique collaborative artwork. Whether you’re an experienced stitcher\, a little rusty or keen to develop your skills\, all skill levels are welcome. You’ll have the opportunity to practise stitches before contributing to the tapestry\, with support available throughout. \nAll materials are provided\, along with hot drinks and biscuits\, and you can attend as many or as few sessions as you like. Once complete\, the Manchester Tapestry will be exhibited in the newly refurbished Manchester Town Hall. \nSessions take place every Monday\, 1–4pm\, at the Manchester Histories Hub on the Lower Ground Floor of Manchester Central Library. \nBooking is essential as places are limited. Book your place via Eventbrite here or click ‘Book Now’ below.
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/threads-of-a-city-the-manchester-tapestry-project-stitching-workshops/
LOCATION:Lwr Ground Floor – Manchester Histories Hub
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Threads-of-a-City-Light-Box-Image.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261017T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261017T170000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260820T105038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T105206Z
UID:14409-1792224000-1792256400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Brutalist Ghost Stories
DESCRIPTION:An afternoon exploring the supernatural with writers Jenn Ashworth\, David Gaffney\, Beth Barker and Nicholas Royle – four contributors to Brutalist Ghost Stories\, a haunting new anthology inspired by Britain’s post-war architecture.   \nBlending literary fiction with the uncanny\, these original stories reimagine Brutalist buildings as places where history\, memory and the supernatural collide. From Preston Bus Station and the Barbican to Forton Service Station and a substation in Sheffield\, the collection offers a striking new way of seeing familiar spaces.   \nHear readings from the anthology and discover how four distinctive Northern voices have transformed these monumental settings into unforgettable ghost stories.  \nBrutalist Ghost Stories is edited by Richard V. Hirst and published by Manchester’s Cōnfingō Publishing.  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nJenn Ashworth is an award-winning novelist whose books include A Kind of Intimacy\, Fell and Ghosted. Her memoir Notes Made While Falling was shortlisted for the Gordon Burn Prize. She lives in Lancashire.   \nDavid Gaffney is a novelist and short story writer whose books include Never Never\, Out of the Dark and Sawn-Off Tales. His work has been appeared on BBC Radio 4. He lives in Manchester.  \nBeth Barker is a writer from Blackpool. Her work has appeared in publications including Prototype 5 and A Wild and Precious Life. She is one of the emerging voices supported through the New North strand of Brutalist Ghost Stories.  \nNicholas Royle is an acclaimed novelist and short story writer whose books include First Novel\, Antwerp and Ornithology. He is the editor of Best British Short Stories and founder of Nightjar Press.  \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-brutalist-ghost-stories/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/1021014.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261017T110000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261017T120000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260415T142654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260907T141645Z
UID:13421-1792234800-1792238400@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Storytime and Mindfulness for Children
DESCRIPTION:Join us for this relaxing session led by Psychologist Özlem Bakan Yavaş. \nWe will be reading stories and learning about feelings in a comfortable and safe environment. We will finish each session with a calming and mindful craft. \nSuitable for children aged 4+. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Sessions will take place in Manchester Central Library’s Children Library (Lower Ground Floor). \nPlease only book 1 ticket per child. Adults do not need to book on\, but are required to stay with their children at all times. \nBook your free spot via Eventbrite here or click ‘Book Now’ below. \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/storytime-and-mindfulness-for-children-4-years-2/
LOCATION:Children’s Library
CATEGORIES:Family,Reading,Workshops
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Storytime-Mindfulness-for-Children.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261017T150000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261017T160000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20220519T095247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260904T144233Z
UID:6066-1792249200-1792252800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Mandarin Storytime
DESCRIPTION:Join our Mandarin Storytime. We will share the stories in Mandarin\, then English. Have fun and learn new words! Suitable for children aged 4–7. \nFree – 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/mandarin-storytime/
LOCATION:Children’s Library
CATEGORIES:Family
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Mandarin-Storytime-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261018T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261018T170000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260820T105849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T105849Z
UID:14417-1792310400-1792342800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Natasha Walter - Feminism for A World on Fire
DESCRIPTION:An inspiring conversation with acclaimed author and campaigner Natasha Walter about building a more connected and hopeful future.   \nDrawing on her powerful and urgent new book Feminism for a World on Fire\, Natasha explores how the challenges facing women today – from inequality and online misogyny to climate change – are deeply interconnected and why our responses can be too. She offers a vision of feminism rooted in solidarity\, community and care for both people and the planet\, imagining how women’s liberation can sit alongside movements for equality\, justice and environmental protection.   \n‘Natasha Walters is a unique voice and a big picture thinker. She’s right: this is a world on fire. This book will help you understand exactly how’ Carole Cadwalladr   \n‘At the heart of Natasha Walter’s book is a proposition that actually filled me with hope’ Mary Portas  \nJoin us for a thought-provoking and inclusive event full of hope\, as Natasha explores feminism\, social change and the power of collective action.  \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live.  \nNatasha Walter is an award-winning author\, journalist and campaigner. Her books include The New Feminism\, Living Dolls and Before the Light Fades. She is the founder of Women for Refugee Women and her work in her academic roles\, at the University of Cambridge and Queen Mary University of London\, focuses on women’s rights\, climate justice and equality.  \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-natasha-walter-feminism-for-a-world-on-fire/
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Natasha-Walter-PHOTO-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261018T080000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261018T170000
DTSTAMP:20260920T150847
CREATED:20260820T110312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T110312Z
UID:14421-1792310400-1792342800@librarylive.co.uk
SUMMARY:Manchester Literature Festival presents Simon Armitage: Gilgamesh
DESCRIPTION:The Poet Laureate Simon Armitage returns to present his exhilarating new verse translation of Gilgamesh\, one of the world’s oldest and most compelling\, surviving works of literature. \nOriginating in ancient Mesopotamia nearly 4\,000 years ago\, this epic tale follows King Gilgamesh through adventures\, battles and profound personal loss. The poem explores themes that remain strikingly relevant today: power\, friendship\, love\, loss and what it means to be human. \nA Festival favourite and outstanding live performer\, Simon brings fresh energy and momentum to this ancient story\, capturing its emotional depth and relevance. See him live in what promises to be\, an uplifting journey into the very origins of storytelling. \nA Manchester Literature Festival event supported by Library Live. \nSimon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire and is Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds. An award-winning poet\, translator\, broadcaster and musician\, he has published over twenty poetry collections and is the author of acclaimed translations including Sir Gawain and the Green Knight\, Pearl and The Owl and the Nightingale. He is the current Poet Laureate (2019-2029). \nBook tickets here or click ‘Book Now’ below
URL:https://librarylive.co.uk/event/manchester-literature-festival-presents-simon-armitage-gilgamesh/
LOCATION:Performance Space
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://librarylive.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Armitage-Simon_credit-Paul-Stuart-Photography-Ltd-2.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR