Banned Books at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

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Banned Books: Anthony Burgess and Censorship

20 June-30 September 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Anthony Burgess.
Anthony Burgess.
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Fifty years ago, Manchester-born Anthony Burgess got married to Italian linguist and translator Liana Macellari, and the pair decided to leave England and settle abroad. First off, they stopped by Malta, a move which saw much of Burgess’s library of books confiscated by the authorities for reasons of ‘indecency’ or ‘blasphemy’. Though the seized collection – which included works by the likes of Angela Carter, Kingsley Amis and DH Lawrence – was destroyed by the Maltese government, the International Anthony Burgess Foundation has painstakingly put together the same editions for a special exhibition, on until 30 September, and open weekdays 10am-3pm (free admission).

‘Banned Books: Anthony Burgess and Censorship’ delves more deeply into the subject of freedom of expression, one that was close to Burgess’s heart – somewhat ironically, given that the film adaptation of his own novel A Clockwork Orange was subsequently banned in the UK by its own director Stanley Kubrick. Not one to shy of controversy, Anthony Burgess was a lifelong opponent of censorship, writing extensively about it and speaking out in defence of writers whose work was under threat of being suppressed for blasphemy or obscenity – famously delivering a lecture at the University of Malta (no coincidence) to a packed audience of over 1,000 people, in which he argued that obscenity and pornography should be judged according to artistic merit.

To celebrate the new show in the Engine House, a special launch party is being compèred by the IABF’s Fat Roland (also one-half of the Bad Language hosting team) on Friday 29 June, starting at 6pm. A drinks reception will be followed by readings of extracts from some of the banned books by The Writing Squad graduate Lenni Sanders, performance poet Steph Lonsdale and Matthew Frost, of Manchester University Press and The Manchester Prize. All free – be sure to book your place via the link below.

Where to go near Banned Books at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Burgess Cafe Bar
at IABF

Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Dog Bowl bowling alley and restaurant Manchester.
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Bar or Pub
Dog Bowl

A bar and 10-pin bowling alley combined, Dog Bowl is a neon-lit venue that serves up cocktails and Tex-Mex food to go with your time on the lanes.

The Ritz Manchester live music venue
Manchester
Music venue
The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

Gorilla, Whitworth street Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Gorilla

Gorilla is a good choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From a hearty full English to meaty burgers via good vegan and veggie options. It also hosts some of the best gigs and events in Manchester.

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Manchester
Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

The Modernist shop
Manchester
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Modernist Society

The bricks and mortar The Modernist shop opened in May 2019 in the Northern Quarter and is the only bookshop in Manchester specialising in architecture and design.

Rain Bar pub in Manchester
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Rain Bar

This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

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