From here and elsewhere, cities of literature reveal their roots. In words and images, discover the origin of their names: toponyms of the past, revisited in the present.

An exhibition designed and produced by Quebec, UNESCO City of Literature, will be broadcast on the occasion of the annual meeting of UNESCO Cities of Literature 2023, taking place in October 2023.

The exhibition explores Toponymy, the study of place names. It asks each participating City of Literature, ‘Where does the name of your city come from?, What does it mean, literally, and for the people living there?’.

Manchester City of Literature commissioned a new original text from writer Shamshad Khan and an illustration by Audrey Albert, explaining and expanding on the origin and the meaning of how Manchester got its name.

The exhibition is presented from September 1st to October 31st and takes place on two outdoor sites, at Place d’Youville and in front of Château Frontenac. You can see the digital version of the exhibition, and read Manchester’s contribution below.