THE EMBASSY OF UTOPIA IS AN EXCITING COLLABORATION BETWEEN ARTISTS FROM MANCHESTER AND TARTU UNESCO CITIES OF LITERATURE, CONSISTING OF A TWO-DAY OPEN FORUM OF SPEECHES , SPOKEN WORD, IDEAS AND PERFORMANCE STAGED IN A SPECIALY CREATED ‘EMBASSY’ WITHIN MANCHESTER CENTRAL LIBRARY.

Artists David Hartley and Henri Hütt have created a space for dreamers, poets, activists, architects, community groups to share ideas that are too important to leave unspoken.

There will be 120 performances over two days where bold individuals and community groups have been invited to speak about their vision for the future.

At 1pm on both days, there will be special extended performances from the Embassy of Utopia Ambassadors. Expect short stories, eco-poetry, music, fashion shows, books used in unusual ways and surprises. Friday’s Ambassadors will be writer David Hartley (UK) and performance artist Henri Hütt (Estonia); Saturday’s will be the poets Penny Boxall (UK) and Maarja Pärtna (Estonia). All four are in Manchester after appearing in the Tartu 2024 European Capital of Culture programme in May this year.

The Embassy of Utopia was devised by Estonian artists Jan Teevet and Oliver Issak as part of the 2023 Prima Vista Literature Festival in Tartu. This is its UK premiere. Come along to find out what Manchester has collectively got to say.

Please note that no hate speech will be tolerated and that there will be photography on the day.