‘“Is it true?” Gaspar had asked. “Is it true that the dead travel fast?” His father had finally looked up and said, simply: “Some do.”’ Argentinian mistress of dark literature, Mariana Enriquez joins us in Manchester to discuss her superb, brutal novel Our Share of Night (translated by Megan McDowell). Gaspar is six years old when the […]
We are delighted to partner with the award-winning charity Create once again. The creative:connection project brings together disabled and non-disabled children to create, build connections and break down barriers. Children from four schools in Manchester and Salford joined forces with top class musicians to write songs and create new pieces of music inspired by nature […]
Piranesi lives in the House. Having no memory of how he arrived or even who he is, Piranesi keeps careful records of the labyrinth of halls, the many statues and the weather. Once a week he meets his friend the Other, but he has no contact with any other living person until someone begins to […]
Stone Blind, Natalie Haynes’ latest feminist mythological retelling, is the story of how a young woman became a monster. And how she was never really a monster at all. It’s the story of Medusa, the mortal raised by her Gorgon sisters, mistreated by Poseidon, and hunted by Perseus. It’s a version that sheds light on […]
‘The best short story writer in English – not “one of”, not “arguably”, but the best’ – Time. In his latest short story collection, Liberation Day, George Saunders considers what it means to be human and a member of communities whose actions impact each other. Through inventive scenarios including an underground amusement park and a household […]
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word presented by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press Tues 25th October, 6.00pm - 7.30pm (doors open 5.30pm) Free entry Hosted by Tony Curry with guest poet Stevie Turner Book your open mic slot from noon on Tues 11th October via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk NB Open mic slots are 3 minutes […]
The history of Caribbean Carnivals is much more complex than many realise. Carnival has origins based in colonialism and religious conversion, but it has now become a festival and celebration tied to freedom and emancipation from slavery. Learn about how established African-Caribbean communities transferred the traditions associated with carnival to Manchester as we explore the […]
Explore historical carnival memories through archives via an exhibition, film provided by North West Film Archive, music by Manchester Carnival affiliated DJ and host Kemoy Walker, a family arts workshop by local artist Tina Ramos Ekongo, spoken word performances by Young Identity and delicious Caribbean food courtesy of Buzzrocks Caribbean Restaurant. Book via www.racearchive.org.uk/events/black-history-month/
This exhibition of over 70 Loving Earth Project textile panels will be at six city centre venues in Manchester. Central Library is one of these venues and has 10 panels on display. Each panel is individually crafted and depicts places, creatures and other things that the maker loves, but which are threatened by growing climate […]
Flapjack Press and Manchester Libraries invite you to the book launch of new poetry collections of two of Manchester's finest. John Darwin: Ultrasilence From the provincial peccadilloes of Prestwich in Manchester to coffee houses and bars by the Bosporus in İstanbul, John Darwin explores life’s three stages of arriving, staying for a bit, and then […]
Crime Central returns in November with three more amazing writers! Lauren North - writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and from her dark imagination of always wondering what’s the worst thing that could happen in every situation. Roger Price - […]
Grass Roots Books was Manchester's radical bookshop from 1971 to 1990, becoming the largest outside London and a worker's co-operative. Former workers have collected memories and archive material about it. At this launch you will have the chance to see radical books and ephemera from the period. Archive material will also be on display in the library throughout […]
From dedicated performance spaces to stairwells, screens, nooks and domes, Central Library might directly inspire your next event or intervention. Contact us to arrange a tour.
