Ripples of Hope Festival at HOME

Johnny James, Managing Editor
Ripples of Hope
HOME

Ripples of Hope Festival at HOME Manchester, Manchester 15 — 19 September 2021 Entrance is free — Visit now

How do we create a better world? That’s the question at the heart of the Ripples of Hope Festival – a new Festival based at HOME, celebrating the power of people to make human rights a reality.

Despite a global pandemic, the past 18 months have seen a sustained wave of protests, with people around the world coming together (digitally if not physically) to stand up for human rights – from Black Lives Matter to Kill the Bill to solidarity with the people of Afghanistan. The Ripples of Hope Festival taps into these issues and many more, exploring the world as it is and the world as it can be.

Over a weekend of conversations, workshops and performances, you’ll hear from – and hopefully add your voice to – activists, performers, poets, organisers and artists as you take in stories, discuss and debate, laugh and listen around five themes: Dignity and Justice, Equity and Equality, Arts and Culture, Activism and Participation, and Environment and the Planet. Across each, you’ll be prompted to think about the challenges we face as communities and as humanity, exploring how we can – together – take action in our communities and across the world to create a future that truly serves people.

Ripples of Hope

The Festival’s ‘weekend to inspire’ kicks off on Friday 17 September, with explorations of criminal justice, the rights of the homeless, modern day slavery, the care system, policies that promote discrimination, and masculinity and violence. You’ll hear from speakers ranging from human rights barrister Baroness Helena Kennedy QC to the CEO of In Place of War, Ruth Daniel, before two special evening events (ticketed separately). The first will see celebrated author and activist Elif Shafak deliver the 2021 English PEN HG Wells Lecture. The second, hosted by UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage CBE, will unveil the ground-breaking new work of 10 poets in response to Articles 1-10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Read more on that last event here.

Saturday 18 September, meanwhile, asks: “Whose story gets told? How do we level the playing field?”. You’ll explore economic fairness, sexual and gender rights, migration and marginalised communities, racism and privilege, disability rights, the power of community, and the attitudes of different global governments to human rights. All before diving into discussion about arts and culture, and its role in shaping our view of the world. Daytime speakers include award-winning author and broadcaster Gary Younge and human rights activist Peter Tatchel, while the evening will see the second instalment of A Poetic Declaration with Simon Armitage (again ticketed separately).

The final day of the festival, Sunday 19 September, will be dedicated to the environment and the planet. Up for discussion are food politics, the design of cities, the future of sustainable fashion, ethical economic growth, young climate activists, indigenous knowledge and practical actions that all of us can take. You’ll hear from speakers ranging from 2014 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Kailash Satyarthi to former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, ahead of the third and final Poetic Declaration in the evening.

If you’d like to attend the whole weekend, you can purchase a three-day pass for £48, otherwise it’s a reasonable £20 per day, with £10 concessions. Online access to all events is also included in the price. The day passes include all events taking place up until 6:30 pm and evening events are ticketed separately. If you work for a community organisation or not-for-profit, or simply could do with a little support, there are also a number of complimentary tickets available, on a first come first-served basis.

Ripples of Hope Festival at HOME Manchester, Manchester 15 — 19 September 2021 Entrance is free Visit now

What's on at HOME Manchester

Until
Manchester
Playreading Group at HOME

HOME’s Playreading Group is open to all and offers an opportunity to read and discuss plays that are linked to their theatre productions.

CinemaManchester
It’s A Wonderful Life at HOME

This ultimate feel-good, festive favourite, from Oscar-winning director Frank Capra, stars James Stewart as despairing businessmen George Bailey. HOME present their annual screenings.

from £9.15
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
A Fine Toothed Comb at HOME

Turner prize winner Lubaina Himid curates HOME’s newest exhibition ‘A Fine Toothed Comb’, an in-depth exploration of Manchester’s communities, geography, geology and architecture.

free entry

Where to go near Ripples of Hope Festival at HOME

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 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.

Homeground
Manchester
Event venue
Homeground

Homeground is HOME’s brand new outdoor venue, providing an open-air space for theatre, food, film, music, comedy and more.

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.

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.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Briton’s Protection

Standing on the corner of a junction opposite The Bridgewater Hall, The Briton’s Protection is Manchester’s oldest pub. It has occupied the same spot since 1795, going under the equally patriotic name The Ancient Britain.

What's on: Festivals

Until
FestivalsManchester
Winter Island

Freight Island has transformed into Winter Island for the Christmas season, focusing on all things fun and festive.

free entry
Until
ActivitySale
Prism: Light Trail

This winter you can see a series of light installations through Sale Town Centre, designed by children and young people from the borough.

free entry
saltaire living advent calendar
Until
FestivalsSaltaire
Saltaire Living Advent Calendar

The Saltaire Living Advent Calendar has been a staple of the village since 2006, with community buildings and houses lighting up their windows with intricate illuminations.

free entry
FestivalsManchester
Lightwaves at Salford Quays

An unmissable ten days of luminary adventures. Interact with boundary-breaking new commissions, create your own digital masterpieces and take a selfie with a Dalek. Yep, really.

free entry
ChildrensCheshire
Christmas at Bolesworth

Come to Cheshire’s winter wonderland. A magical festive lights trail, Santa’s Grotto and more… This is a jam packed adventure for all the family.

from £20.00

Culture Guides

Music in Manchester and the North

Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.