Our City Of Languages

Creative Tourist
Hafsah Aneela Bashir
Poet Hafsah Aneela Bashir.

21 February 2021 Entrance is free — Visit now

Join Hafsah Aneela Bashir and guests for an afternoon of films, talks, interviews and performance from the many individuals, writers, poets and community groups who contribute to make Manchester a city of languages.

Hear more about how Manchester has celebrated International Mother Language Day since 2015 and how it is a defining strength of the city. Meet some of the members of the Polish Saturday School and The Sebene Project as they share their stories. Further afield, find out more about how language is celebrated in Tartu and Nottingham, two other Cities of Literature, and see how young people in Nanjing and Manchester are using comics to tell their stories of resilience in lockdown.

The afternoon will also feature the launch of the award-winning Mother Tongue Other Tongue schools’ competition, endorsed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, and a special preview of a newly commissioned work from three artists working in Manchester Museum.

Our City of Languages will be broadcast live from Manchester Poetry Library on International Mother Language Day. Settle down at home for the full banquet or drop in for a tasty course or two. The full programme and times will be published on 15 February.

21 February 2021 Entrance is free Visit now

Accessibility

  • Captioned
  • Parent and Baby
  • Relaxed

Where to go near Our City Of Languages

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Hotel
Hilton Liverpool

The riverside location of Hilton Liverpool makes it one of the most centrally placed hotels in the city, close to the all attractions, big and small.

hotel
Baltic Triangle
Hotel
Maldron Hotel

The Maldron Hotel is perfectly located on the edge of the Baltic Triangle and offers comfortable stays and luxurious breakfasts.

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Liverpool
Hotel
The Halyard

The Halyard is one of Liverpool’s newest hotels, with top floor suites offering sweeping views of the city and delicious treats in the restaurant.

shop
Liverpool
Shop
COW Liverpool

Cow Liverpool is one of the city’s favourite vintage shops, with clothing, accessories and homeware in a spacious shop on Bold Street.

Liverpool
Shop
Pop Boutique Liverpool

Pop Boutique houses Vintage, clothing, homeware and vinyl. This bold street shop is in the centre of the ropewalks area of Liverpool which is fast becoming the indie centre of Liverpool.

cafe
Lark Lane
Café or Coffee Shop
Press Bros

Press Bros is one of Lark Lane’s best coffee spots, with coffee made from locally roasted beans and delicious breakfasts.

iStock.com/SimoneN
Deansgate
Hotel
Malmaison Manchester Deansgate

The building’s striking architecture combines classic brickwork with sleek, modern design elements, creating an inviting atmosphere that captures the essence of Manchester’s vibrant energy.

Manchester
Restaurant
Exhibition

Exhibition is an elegant dining hall on Peter Street, home to Jaan and other high-level independent kitchens.

An image of a large man made pool with fountains in front of a historic building with a clock tower
Bradford
Park
City Park

City park is Bradford’s brilliant multi-award winning outdoor public space, one of its highlights being The Mirror Pool — the largest urban water feature in the UK.

A 350-capacity space, permanent live music venue at 75 Argyle Street. This community venue will bring some of today’s most exciting new national and international artists to Wirral, while at the same time providing key early performance opportunities for emerging local musicians.
Wirral
Event venue
Future Yard

Future Yard is the Wirral’s most exciting music venue providing a stage and opportunities for musicians and the local community.

food and drink
Restaurant
Chamber 36 City Centre

Serving excellent Pan-Asian dishes and quirky cocktails, Chamber 36 is a stylish restaurant on the edge of Liverpool’s China Town.

What's on: Literature

a white older man with grey hair in a blue shirt and wearing glasses leaning against a grey brick wall..
LiteratureManchester
Alan Hollinghurst at Central Library

Alan Hollinghurst was missed at Manchester Literature Festival back in October, but here he is to cheer up January, chatting to poet and novelist Andrew McMillan.

from £10.00
Sarah-Clare Conlon. Photo by Nic Chapman
LiteratureManchester
Verbose Tenth Birthday at The King’s Arms

Verbose is one of Manchester’s longest-running spoken word events, and we’re delighted to have been invited to help celebrate its ten-year anniversary at a special evening on Monday 27 January.

free entry

Culture Guides

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

Raver Tots at Escape to Freight Island
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

Music in the North

Warm, intimate storytelling is the thread connecting our new picks, which include a number of brilliant folk artists.

A sculpture of a dark brown dog looks to the right, hanging out of its middle and the back are what appears to be its insides (in cream) spilling out.
Exhibitions in the North

From genre-defying art film to vibrant embroidery and Surrealist sculpture, check out the best winter exhibitions to see right now.