MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Our Merseyside neighbours may have been 2008′s European City of Culture but 2009 is the year for Manchester to wear the crown as the world’s only international festival of culture returns to our city’s streets.

The Manchester International Festival (MIF) has created both media and public frenzy since it first stepped onto the scene in 2007. Hosting performances, dances, operas and new works from music, visual arts and popular culture this festival opens up the spotlight for new raw talent and unique performers, affirming Manchester as the epicentre of culture and arts in Britain.

To quote the Observer, “Manchester is the beating cultural heart of Britain.” And this is exactly what the festival establishes: the city’s pivotal role in arts across the globe as different performers and artists showcase their work in theatres and venues across the city during this seventeen-day long event.

The world’s first festival of its kind, 200,000 people flocked to Manchester International Festival 2007 which hosted both world-class and upcoming artists on the bill. Kanye West, the Happy Mondays and PJ Harvey all took part as well as the now infamous Chinese opera ‘Monkey: Journey to the West’, composed by Blur’s former front man Damon Alburn. This variety of talent and theatrical skill illustrates clearly the broad range of cultural interest the shows exude and generate.

This year’s line-up is guaranteed to be just as innovative and impressive as Alburn’s music takes to the stage again in the theatre production of ‘It Felt like a Kiss’ and Manchester’s very own Mercury winners Elbow and The Halle.

Festival Director Alex Poots said “We are very pleased to be able to bring together such a range of artists for the 09 event. Manchester has long thrived on invention, innovation and radical thought, and MIF aspires to be part of that tradition.”

Festival organisers are hoping that MIF may encourage local, national and international communities to recognise Manchester as a significant area of cultural importance and innovation. The festival therefore carefully caters for everyone – from the Pavillion’s cafes and bars hosting special DJ nights for Manchester’s young crowd, to The Great Indoors for the even younger crowd. This boasts an entire weekend of free activities and events for the under 11s.

Foodies can indulge themselves with the Manchester Festival Feast where renowned culinary experts create special dishes for a free banquet. Complimentary events will continue such as the Mancunian procession through Deansgate curated by Turner prize winner Jeremy Deller, making the famous mile unrecognisable with floats and live music.

Museums and galleries will also be taking part with many free exhibitions throughout July.

In fact, it seems likely that this summer month will brighten our Northern city in no way that the weather is likely to turning it into a hub of cultural excitement and fun.

As people take to the streets and theatres in unprecedented volumes Manchester will no doubt kick Liverpool’s title out of the water and become Britain and Europe’s internationally recognised city for art and culture that will continue to grow from festival to festival.

Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese said: “[MIF] provides tremendous opportunities to showcase work that is both innovative and ground-breaking, demonstrating just what Manchester is about.”

MIF 09 will run from 2 July to 17 July 2009.  Download your copy of the festival programme here.

To purchase and reserve complimentary tickets for events or to volunteer in helping at the festival visit: www.mif.co.uk or call 0844 815 4960.

Words: Natasha Al-Atassi