International Mother Language Day 2019 at various venues

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor
Poet Lemn Sissay.
Poet Lemn Sissay.

International Mother Language Day at Manchester Central Library, Manchester 21 February 2019 Entrance is free

Presented in partnership between Manchester City Council, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Manchester as part of Manchester City of Literature, we’ll be celebrating this year’s International Mother Language Day through a number of exciting events taking place in various venues. With the event marked around the world annually on 21 February, in 2018 Manchester’s International Mother Language Day welcomed speakers from Jamaica to Japan; this year, activities include fun, family-friendly games, crafts and performances, plus panel discussion, workshops and a lively, interactive multilingual Mushaira – all are free.

Manchester-based independent publishing house Comma Press are running Manchester In Translation workshops at Z-arts; Manchester City Council’s Libraries Team are hosting a number of events, including at North City and Wythenshawe Forum libraries, and including the Mancunian Tongues: Why Language Diversity Matters For Manchester discussion with poet/author and Chancellor of The University of Manchester Lemn Sissay MBE, Manchester Museum Director Esme Ward and Councillor Luthfur Rahman at Central Library, and Manchester Writing School are putting on the Multi-language Mushaira poetry performance event at Longsight Library in the evening. Full details in the link below.

International Mother Language Day at Manchester Central Library, Manchester 21 February 2019 Entrance is free

Where to go near International Mother Language Day 2019 at various venues

food and drink
Restaurant
Belzan

Belzan is a modern bistro serving delicious food in a relaxed and friendly setting, in an unexpected location.

food and drink
Restaurant
NORD

A Scandi-inspired restaurants that celebrates Northern hospitality, with a seasonal menu made from locally-sourced ingredients.

food and drink
Liverpool
Restaurant
Mahoe Blue

Mahoe Blue is a bar and bistro that serves authentic Jamaican food in a cosy venue in South Liverpool.

music 2
City Centre
Music venue
Rough Trade

The largest of Rough Trade stores, it’s record shop, event space and concert venue in the heart of Liverpool, complete with its own gift shop

exhibition
Wirral
Gallery
Hamilton Vault Studios

A disused bank vault now conceals a unique gallery space and filming location, championing local creatives and their vision.

exhibition
Wirral
Gallery
Lake Gallery

Lake Gallery is an artist-run space in West Kirby, showcasing fine art and contemporary craft in regularly changing exhibitions.

literature
Library
Birkenhead Central Library

Birkenhead Central Library provides books and resources, and welcomes everyone to their community hub in a stunning, historic location.

library
Shop
The Reader, Calderstones Park

The Reader brings people together through a shared love of literature and their home is in the beautiful Calderstones Park in Liverpool.

bar
City Centre
Brewery
Ye Cracke

Hidden in the Georgian Quarter, Ye Cracke is a historic Liverpool pub, known for being John Lennon’s local in his student days

record shop
City Centre
Shop
81 Renshaw

81 Renshaw is a record store in Liverpool city centre, selling new and second-hand vinyl from a location with a long musical history

shop
Lark Lane
Shop
Larks

Larks is a vintage clothing and gift emporium in a bright pink shop where you’ll find a bit of everything, sprinkled with glitter.

What's on: Literature

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 head into the new year.

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.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

From contemporary dance to ballet classics, and cult rock ‘n’ roll musicals to new writing, our theatre guide spans the festive season and beyond.

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

As we move into festive season, Manchester and the North is packed with fun events and activities for families, both indoors and outdoors.