An exhibition tracing Richard Cobden’s life, career and legacy Richard Cobden (1804-1865) is usually remembered as leader of the Anti-Corn Law League, which campaigned for free trade in food during the ‘hungry forties’, but his public career embraced far more. He was a supporter of educational reform, press freedom, and extension of the vote. He […]
Exhibition to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Ugandan Expulsion, highlighting the experience of British Ugandan Asians and the many volunteers who helped them. In August 1972, Ugandan President Idi Amin ordered the country’s Indian and Pakistani communities to leave within 90 days. Many of the displaced were British citizens and, as a result, around […]
Jill Furmanovsky : Photographing the Invisible For the last 50 years, Jill Furmanovsky has been photographing music’s greatest icons. Now for the first time, Jill has created a fascinating retrospective featuring some of her most famous works as well as hidden gems from her extensive archive. Guest curated by Noel Gallagher and photo-historian Gail Buckland, […]
Flapjack Press presents Gerry Potter’s Li’l Book o’ small Poems (or is it?) “You’ll never live more life than wha’ I’m livin’ through right now…” Join Gerry Potter on a voyage into social relativism and the domestic/fantastic in a punchy ‘n’ pithy yet generously discursive collection. Contemplating both the ingrained and fleeting fears of a […]
Manchester Libraries and Manchester Literature Festival present an Evening with Booker Prize winning author Douglas Stuart. Following on from his debut event in Manchester last Spring, Manchester Literature Festival is excited to welcome back best-selling author Douglas Stuart for an intimate evening at Central Library. Join us to hear Douglas discuss his literary and cultural […]
"Stephen Lawrence’s legacy is one of promoting tolerance, understanding and peace between all" We will celebrate Stephen's life by focusing on friendship, kindness and positivity. Children and families are invited to join us to create a beautiful collage of "Friendship" in honour of Stephen's life. Resources from The Ahmed Iqbal Ullah RACE Centre and Education Trust will be on display which […]
Join us for this illustrated public lecture, by Geoff Scargill of The Watkin Society. Absalom and Edward Watkin – father and son – were key figures in the development of Manchester in the 19th century. Absalom helped draw up the petition that brought the horror of the Peterloo Massacre to public attention. Although he was […]
Word Central Open Mic Poetry and Spoken Word hosted by Tony Curry Presented by Manchester Libraries and Flapjack Press With special guest Louise Fazackerley Book your open mic slot from noon on Tues 11th April via mail@flapjackpress.co.uk With work rooted in word-witchery and the working class, April’s guest Louise Fazackerley explores the synergy between poetry and […]
Geopolitical alliances at the ready! This year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held just a stone's throw from Manchester in lovely Liverpool. To celebrate this once is a lifetime (well 25 years anyway) event, we're hosting a special edition of our Big Fat Music Library quiz on Thursday 27th April. So if you think you […]
PLEASE NOTE: Tickets for this event are on a “pay what you can” basis.They range from £2 – £8 plus the Eventbrite booking fee. All tickets allow the same access to the event. This is a just a pricing system to accommodate for individual financial circumstances. Signed books will be available to purchase after the […]
This exhibition celebrates the Polish-British cooperation in breaking the Enigma code, marking the 80th anniversary of Polish codebreakers coming to the UK. The Enigma code was a nightmare for secret services all over the world. It was an unbreakable code granting Germany a tremendous military advantage. 'Enigma' means puzzle or secret in Greek. This is […]
Join Jill in this special talk with Professor Jon Savage from the British Pop Archive, talking archives, curating Photographing the Invisible and the difficulty of choosing what to leave out. Professor of Popular Culture at the University of Manchester, Jon Savage is is an award winning author and film writer. His books include England's Dreaming: […]
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.
