Looking back: Manchester Literature Festival 2024
The University of Manchester was once again the official Higher Education partner for Manchester Literature Festival and worked closely with the festival team on a series of events showcasing celebrated authors and new publications across the city
This year’s Manchester Literature Festival took place 4-20 October, with an exciting programme of literary events taking place including collaborations with The University of Manchester’s research platform and the .
Events took place on campus at the Martin Harris Centre, including an in-conversation with former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas, an evening with award-winning cook and food writer Meera Sodha, and a very special appearance by poet Jackie Kay who read from her latest collection.
Over at Central Library, Scottish author Andrew O’Hagan joined us to discuss his latest novel Caledonian Road, and legendary music producer Joe Boyd celebrated his engrossing new book And the Roots of Rhythm Remain: A Journey through Global Music.
Foreign correspondent Lindsay Hilsum joined Creative Manchester director John McAuliffe to share some of her favourite poems and memories from her decades-long career, and Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers went on to bookend the Festival with his recent event on 8 November in support of his new novel.
HOME was host to David Peace, discussing his gripping new novel Munich, and to George Monbiot’s event, hosted by Professor of New Writing Jeanette Winterson, in support of his passionately argued new book, The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism (& How It Came to Control Your Life).
Prolific designer Thomas Heatherwick joined Ella P. Wakatama at Contact to talk about his book Humanise: A Maker’s Guide to Building Our World and putting the human emotion at the heart of building design. At John Rylands Research Institute and Library, former National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke ran a highly anticipated poetry workshop, then went on to deliver the annual Rylands Poetry Reading to a sold-out crowd.
Festival attendees at the Royal Northern College of Music enjoyed an audience with bestselling global sensation and Yellowface author Rebecca F. Kuang, hosted by broadcaster, producer and Chair of Manchester City of Literature Katie Popperwell.
For more information about the festival, visit the .