Festival of Libraries featuring 100s of free events returns this summer
- Helen Clarke
- Feb 24
- 2 min read
MCRJourno
Festival of Libraries will be taking place across 133 libraries in Greater Manchester from Wednesday 4th June to Sunday 8th June this year.
Among many celebrated authors at the festival is Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock - the first Black woman to win a gold medal in the Physics News Award, a CBeebies presenter, and honouree of her own Barbie Doll in recognition of her work to promote science careers to girls.
Also in the line-up - Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, an award-winning author and screenwriter who will headline a series of Inspired by Libraries talks.
They will be joined by a host of authors, poets, performers, artists and historians all sharing their love of libraries with audiences in a free events programme.
Previous speakers have included Christopher Eccleston, Maxine Peake, Simon Armitage, Radzi Chinyanganya, Guy Garvey, Cheddar Gorgeous, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Stuart Maconie, Michael Rosen and Gary Younge.
Returning for its fifth year after winningBest Event at the Manchester Culture Awards in 2024 - Festival of Libraries is the biggest festival of its type in the country.
It is organised by Manchester UNESCO City of Literature and supported by Arts Council England.
The full events programme will be unveiled in early April with last year's attracting 44,000 visitors across 115 events.
Festival of Libraries’ partners include: Archives+, Central Library, Chetham’s Library, John Rylands Research Institute and Library, Manchester Poetry Library, NHS Libraries, The Portico Library, Working Class Movement Library, University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Institute Cervantes Library, Levenshulme Old Library and ten Greater Manchester libraries.
For further information visit: https://www.manchestercityofliterature.com/project/manchester-libraries-festival/