Manchester City of Literature announces new team and launches website

Manchester joined UNESCO’s worldwide Creative Cities network as a City of Literature in 2017, following a successful bid coordinated by a consortium involving The University of Manchester, Manchester City Council, Manchester Metropolitan University and Manchester Literature Festival.

The prestigious title recognises the city’s commitment to supporting excellence in literature throughout the city, and involving as many people as possible in the opportunities afforded by Manchester’s rich literary past and thriving literary present.

Manchester City of Literature’s role is to celebrate all of the things that make our city such a dynamic, diverse and inspiring place for the written and spoken word. It’s a chance to think big and develop exciting, collaborative projects aimed at getting people reading, writing and enjoying literature in all its forms.

Ivan Wadeson, Manchester City of Literature’s Executive Director, believes that now is the perfect moment to reintroduce Manchester to the exciting work that Manchester City of Literature is doing:

“We’re a city that boasts four historic libraries in its centre, 24 public libraries, hundreds of literature events, two writing schools, more than a dozen regular spoken word nights - I could go on! If you live in Manchester, you know it’s bursting at the seams with creativity. It’s our job at Manchester City of Literature to make sure that news of what we have to offer is spread far and wide.”

This year sees the launch of the Manchester City of Literature’s executive office and the employment of Partnerships and Communications Manager, Jo Flynn, and Community Engagement Manager, Reece Williams. Both are passionate about promoting the city’s literary activity and UNESCO status.

As part of the update, on 7 December, a new website was unveiled. This is being utilised as a central hub for literary happenings in Manchester. It is populated with the latest information about events and activities, plus resources like writing packs for young children and wellbeing. It also details Manchester City of Literature’s own projects, including the planned Festival of Libraries and International Mother Language Day.

“The new website is really going to provide a meeting place for both Manchester’s resident creatives and for those from all around the globe who are curious about what our world-leading city has to offer,” says Ivan Wadeson. “We want to make clear that as much as we love libraries and books, that isn’t just what literature is about. The website, just like literature itself, is for anyone and everyone. We believe that whoever you are, there will be something for you on it.”

We invite you to explore the new Manchester City of Literature website, and to watch the introductory video, which features a number of the city’s cultural leaders, and captures the dynamism and diversity of Manchester as a flourishing literary city.