Friday, 8 June 2018 at 1:00 pm – Sunday, 10 June 2018 at 7:00 pm

Manchester Histories Festival 2018: SOAPBOX!

As part of Manchester Histories Festival 2018 and in partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Histories is presenting ‘Soapbox’ from 8th-10th June where we will create a Speakers Corner at All Saint’s Park off Oxford Road.

To do this we have chosen the themes of protest, democracy and freedom of speech for the 2018 Manchester Histories Festival. 2018 marks the 150th anniversary of the TUC, which was formed at the Manchester Mechanics' Institute by the  Manchester and Salford Trades Council with values of democracy, freedom of speech and the right to protest going to the very heart of the organisation. In addition, over the next two years Manchester Histories will be developing and delivering programmes of work to lead up to the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo massacre in 2019.

Democratic society cannot function without an active commitment to freedom of expression which enables citizens to access and exchange information, share ideas, form judgements, communicate opinions, promote causes and thereby participate in their governance. Moreover, the freedom to express minority or dissident views is not only a test of democratic government but also, through their contest with orthodoxy, the means by which values are affirmed or amended and social progress is made. In the current political climate the themes of protest, democracy, and freedom of speech are resonating around the world and Manchester Histories are offering you the opportunity to be part of this dialogue through your participation in our 2018 festival.

The park will be transformed by students from Manchester Metropolitan University and local artists, with a hustings, new visual identity, and food and drink stalls. This work is supported by History at Man Met and the School of Art & Design. The day will run from 1.00 pm - 7.00 pm on Friday 8th - Sunday 10th June.

For more information, please contact:

Andy Turbine · andrew.turbine@mmu.ac.uk

Book Tickets

RAH! - Research in Arts and Humanities