The Embassy of Utopia

Manchester City of Literature, part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network since 2017.

Manchester City of Literature

Take your seat as writers, poets, students, activists, academics &amp; dreamers share their vision for the future at the Embassy of Utopia.

Manchester Central Library

Festival of Libraries

Manchester UNESCO City of Literature’s  Festival of Libraries, the county-wide celebration of Greater Manchester’s 133 libraries, returns with a full live programme of events for all 12-16th June 2024.

The Embassy of Utopia is an exciting collaboration between artists from Manchester and Tartu UNESCO Cities of Literature, consisting of a two-day open forum of speeches, spoken word, ecopoetry, ideas and performance staged in a specially created 'embassy' within Manchester Central Library's Performance Space.Key Information:<ul><li>Times: Friday &amp; Saturday 10 - 4pm</li><li>Location: Manchester Central Library Performance Space</li><li>Whilst we ask that you book a ticket for a time slot (or multiple slots - you're welcome to stay all day), don't feel as though this is prescriptive; you are welcome to spontaneously turn up early and leave later than planned if you are particularly enjoying yourself!</li><li>Photography and filming will be occuring on the day.</li></ul> A teaser of what's to come:Among many other inspiring performers, we will see speeches, poetry, a fashion show and much more from:(Friday AM): Amina Beg (Ajeeb Studios), Hamza Rana (Muslim Social Justice Initiative) and poet Seth Connor-Fullwood (Young Identity) as well as an opening ceremony at 10am.(Friday PM): Esther Koch (Young Identity), Kamran Sajid (Goya), a fashion show from students at Pendleton College and a 30 minute performance from our Ambassadors David Hartley &amp; Henri Hütt.(Saturday AM): Zainab Fasiki (comic artist), Dr. Graeme Hayes (Doughnut Economics) and poetry from Simon Buckley.(Saturday PM): Joy France (battle rapper), Peace Olanrwaju (8% Club), Ali Al-Jamri (Multilingual City Poet) as well as a 30 minute performance from our Ambassadors Penny Boxall &amp; Maarja Pärtna.