The Poetry Exchange at Central Library

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor

Visit now

The Poetry Exchange at Manchester Central Library

21-22 February 2020

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

Manchester Central Library
Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Book now

Is there a poem that has been a friend to you? If so, you are invited to book a one-to-one slot with The Poetry Exchange team to come and explore it further, in celebration of International Mother Language Day. The conversation will take place in a quiet corner of Manchester Central Library, over a cup of tea, with two members of The Poetry Exchange team. Together, you’ll explore your chosen poem and the ways it has been a friend to you in your life. In exchange, you’ll receive a gift: a special recording of your chosen poem, inspired by the conversation.

You are welcome to bring along a poem written in any language, preferably with an accompanying English translation. The conversation will be held in English but an interpreter can be arranged on request. Alternatively, you are very welcome to bring along a friend or family member to act as an interpreter for you, as part of the conversation. Please note: you are invited to explore a poem that you have read or encountered, rather than written, since it is the connection between a reader and the words of another that will be explored through The Poetry Exchange.

Exchanges last 45 minutes and take place on an individual basis at the following times: 09.30am; 10.45am; 12 noon; 1.30pm (Friday only); 2.45pm (Saturday only), and 4pm. Email sally@thepoetryexchange.co.uk or call 07598 596885 to book your place. The Poetry Exchange is a free event, in association with Manchester Poetry Library, Manchester Libraries and UNESCO Manchester City of Literature.

Where to go near The Poetry Exchange at Central Library

St Peters Square Manchester
City Centre
St Peter’s Square

St Peter’s Square is a public space in Manchester – home to the city’s iconic library, town hall, Pankhurst statue, art gallery and famous Midland Hotel.

Manchester Art Gallery. Photo by Andrew Brooks
City Centre
Gallery
Manchester Art Gallery

The Charles Barry-designed, Grade I-listed Manchester Art Gallery is one of the city’s leading galleries and is back open for visitors once more.

Manchester
Restaurant
Ban Di Bul

Ban Di Bul is a longstanding Korean restaurant in the very centre of Manchester.

Chinatown
Hotel
The Alan

This high-end city-centre restaurant has an excellent afternoon tea option that more than matches up to the superb main menu.

Salut Wines
Chinatown
Bar or Pub
Salut Wines

Salut wines pride themselves in offering “wider horizons beyond the safe choices.” With 42 wines by the glass and a regularly changing selection of bottles in their Enomatic wine preservation machines (or  “wine jukebox,” as they’re colloquially known), this is one of be best bars in Manchester for exploring new vintages.

Manchester
Restaurant
Friska

Latest branch of Friska, the independent healthy fast food chain.

Manchester
Restaurant
Don Giovanni

Traditional Italian restaurant, serving everything from pizza to steak. All this in a large modern venue with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Manchester Art Gallery Cafe

Summery bakes, seasonal salads and fresh light meals at Manchester Art Gallery’s in-house café, courtesy of highly-regarded Head Chef Matthew Taylor.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Manchester Town Hall

Re-opening in 2024, Manchester Town Hall is a monument to Victorian Manchester’s ambition, and one of the city’s most-loved landmarks.

City Centre
Tourist Attraction
Albert Square

A public square in the heart of Manchester which plays hosts to festivals and major events. Home to the Albert Memorial and statues of Bishop James Fraser, John Bright, Oliver Heywood and William Ewart Gladstone.

What's on: Literature

Deryn Rees-Jones. Credit Alison Dodd Photography
LiteratureLiverpool
Deryn Rees-Jones at Open Eye Gallery

For the seventh Matt Simpson Memorial Reading, hosted by Liverpool Poetry Space (LiPS), Deryn Rees-Jones will be reading from her new collection, Hôtel Amour.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre in the North

Picks this month include bold visual art, wondrous opera and cinematic dance - plus a touch of ghostly storytelling for the Halloween season.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...

A white mattress is burning in a black rocky landscape.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries in the North are far from spooky this October - instead you'll find tactile sculptures, plant magic and curatorial experiments.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

It's busy month across the cinemas of the north as Halloween programming leads into two of the region's biggest film festivals.

Music in the North

From New York’s experimental underground to the most exciting sounds coming from local scenes, we're lining up a noisy autumn of gigs.