Who was St George? Why study Shakespeare? Are Manchester’s folk songs and Elizabeth Gaskell’s writings still relevant to our lives? A “micro festival” in Manchester City Centre aims to find out.
The Hey! Festival explores our cultural zeitgeist by bringing together writers, faith leaders, activists and actors. On Thursday 23rd April (St George’s Day and Shakespeare’s birthday), at Cross Street Unitarian Chapel, people will be treated to talks, workshops, music and an interfaith blessing. Join in Manchester street songs with Jennnifer Reid, explore “Fate Writing” with author Gregory Norminton; and hear why Elizabeth Gaskell is more relevant than ever. Outside the chapel people will have a chance to air their thoughts with the Empathy Museum’s “Ear of Britain,” and participate in Anouchka Grose’s “Argue with a Woman”
Monique Roffey, professor of contemporary fiction at Manchester Metropolitan University and winner of the Costa Book of the Year 2020, says, “Hey! Festival knits together live literature, song, blessing, and political enquiry at a time when our nation has been divided by our leaders and we need to come together. Hey! seeks to use the soft and magical effects of making stories, singing songs, standing side by side in a chapel, to bring people together in troubled times. We are committed to responding creatively to the current climate of division.”
Entry is free, but particpants are advised to book via Eventbrite (search for “Hey! Festival”), or visit https://cross-street-chapel.org.uk/hey/
“Hey! Festival” is a collaboration between the chapel, MMU’s Centre for Fiction, AHEAD and the Hard Art Collective