Manchester Literature Festival has made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s physical festival.
The Festival team is deeply disappointed not to be able to deliver its usual full-scale Festival but the need to prioritise the health and wellbeing of its authors, hosts, audiences, Festival staff and volunteers is paramount. The decision has been taken in the light of the on-going impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the effect social distancing restrictions are having on the Festival’s partner venues and also general audience confidence.
The good news is that exciting plans are well underway to deliver a special series of digital Manchester Literature Festival events over a long weekend in mid or late October. The full details of the programme, including unique In Conversations and Showcases, will be announced in September.
Cathy Bolton and Sarah-Jane Roberts, MLF Co-Directors said:
“We understand the Festival is a special place that brings writers, readers and book lovers together to enjoy new stories, to discover new writers, to be entertained, challenged and engaged, as well as meet new friends and see the world from a different perspective. We very much hope to return with another physical Manchester Literature Festival in October 2021. Meanwhile we hope that you’ll join us to celebrate virtually this October when we’ll be moving online with a feast of fabulous events of the calibre Manchester Literature Festival audiences have come to expect.”
The cancellation of live events for the foreseeable future and the loss of box office income from Spring and Autumn 2020 leaves the Festival in a very precarious financial position.
Manchester Literature Festival needs urgent support to help continue the valuable work which has been happening for over 15 years. That includes showcasing amazing and diverse writers from across the globe, commissioning new work from emerging and established poets and authors, platforming writers in translation, and producing the great storytelling sessions and young creatives projects to inspire and upskill children and young people from some of the most disadvantaged communities in Greater Manchester.
Manchester Literature Festival has recently launched a new public appeal to help the Festival survive and thrive in this challenging time and welcomes one-off or regular donations from anyone who has enjoyed Manchester Literature Festival.
Details can be found on the Festival website: https://www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk/pages/donate-to-mlf-70
