Join Louis Glazzard for friendly writing workshop exploring class and identity in writing about folk - lore and people.
On Earth Day 2024 historian and author Robert Poole looks back at the famous ‘Earthrise' and ‘Blue Marble’ photos taken by the Apollo astronauts.
Tour of the Streets around the Portico Library and the library
This lecture tells three stories of extraordinary ancient books that were lost for centuries and then found again
Ed Glinert tells the story of the election of the first Labour Government in the UK.
Share your history project in an affirming, friendly atmosphere.
J.C. Briggs finds the source of De Quincey’s fascination for murder in his Manchester childhood, the deaths of his sisters, and his education by some very eccentric Manchester men.
In this opening session of a new reading group on various forms of Gothic literature, Prof Dale Townshend from Manchester Metropolitan University and Dr Natalie Zacek will lead a discussion of pre-circulated fictions that centre on eerie Anglo-Chinese encounters.
Join Louis Glazzard for friendly writing workshop exploring class and identity in writing about folk - lore and people.
An evening of strike and worker Ballads from the Industrial Revolution left forgotten in the British Library, now brought to life with brand new music by folk musicians Alice Jones, Simon Robinson, Katy Ryder and Pete Dilley.
Industrial archaeologist Steve Little takes us to the Exchanges in Manchester to follow the trail and trade of opium, tea & silk.
A talk on The Journey of Tea from China to the World on 21 May, International Tea Day, by Dr Fang Zong 宗芳, Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery, Manchester Museum, University of Manchester.
In this exciting murder mystery workshop, you will not only learn how to solve a thrilling crime, but also immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere of The Portico Library!
Brian Groom will talk to Helen Nugent on his new book, Made in Manchester, a rich and vivid history of Britain's second city through the people who have made it.
A closing talk on the main themes of the Infamous exhibition by Professor Yangwen Zheng.
Join us for a session looking at the meanings of everyday words and phrases, and how dictionaries define words.
Join us for a session of blackout poetry, where participants can find meaning in a scientific text by creating a work of art.
We welcome JP Worsfold & The Band of Gold to Manchester, supported by Bryony Lloyd, for an evening of folk songs evoking the natural world.
Jennifer Reid sings some ballads to kick off our exploration of northern folk in the Portico Collection.
This special partnership event explores the historical reality behind these two iconic women writers and the sexual status of women in Victorian life.
Join Louis Glazzard for friendly writing workshop exploring class and identity in writing about folk - lore and people.
How to rebind a precious medieval book that has been badly bound and what you discover in the process. With Richard Nichols, an independent book conservator.
Curator Iris Yau in conversation on the ‘Mission’, the reaction from some churches and Christians to both the opium trade and China.
Working with local bookbinder Barry Clark you will make a hardback notebook suitable for writing or sketching.
Join writer and Portico Kitchen manager Joe Fenn for an afternoon of reading, writing, and eating, including blind tasting, ‘guess the dish’ games, and a host of fun creative exercises.
A surreal short animation film about Thomas, a boy who becomes addicted to eating ants – despite the warnings of his parents.
Emma Marigliano will show how Dante’s hold on the modern imagination has never been so strong.
Writer and historian Subhadra Das is in conversation about her new book (Un)Civilized that looks at topics from medicine, law, art and death.
We are delighted to welcome Czech writer Bianca Bellová to Manchester for a reading from her book The Lake. This event is organised with the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Manchester.
UNE bring their immersive form of image, electronic music and vibe under the dome of the Portico Library. A fundraising event for the Reuniting the Portico Library, Uniting People Project.
Writer Ajay Close is in conversation about her new book set in late 70s Leeds: as a killer terrifies the city, women reclaim the streets. It's Women's History Month and this new book helps us reflect on the origins of the Reclaim the Streets Movement.
A talk on the building of Ancient Greece in Manchester - why and who for?
Industrial archaeologist Steve little gives an account of some of the members who founded the Portico Library for National Lottery Open Week.
£3. Book here.
An event on ‘International Women’ with curator Iris Yau and Circle Steele, CEO of the Wai Yin Society on 8 March International Women’s Day, hosted by Carol-Ann Whitehead, Portico Library Trustee and Managing Director of the Zebra Partnership.
Join us on the first day of Women’s History Month to paint the iconic queen on genuine Egyptian papyrus at this Ancient Egypt-themed art workshop!
The Irish Nation is a trail of mosaic artworks created by world renowned mosaic artist Mark Kennedy.
Tour of the Streets around the Portico Library and the library
This tribute to women artists has been written and designed by artist Pavel Piekar with the Czech Consulate in Manchester.
Abbi Parcell is in in conversation with Dr Debbie Challis on how we read and queer the ancient Greeks through Victorian writing.
Master Tang’s Lion Dance is coming to The Portico Library!
Discover the story and work of two Manchester bookbinders, their trade union activity and the role of the Manchester School of Art with Barry Clark, local bookbinder and chair of the regional branch of the Society of Bookbinders.
Join us with the Manchester Chinese Centre to welcome in the Year of the Dragon.
Author Matthew Booth talks in conversation on and will read from his new crime book featuring Alex Priest.
In this one-day workshop you will work with an experienced local bookbinder, Barry Clark, to create three finished books.
Occult Illusionist David Alnwick joins us at The Portico for a demonstration on the power of supernatural belief.
Join us for the launch of our new exhibition curated by Iris Yau 丘靜雯 FRSA FHEA (University of the Arts London) on British trade (including trade wars) with China in the nineteenth century.
Welcome to our grow in the dark art class organised by Creative Society Manchester
Join us for an evening with Bram Stoker and Count Dracula.
An Arts Council funded project by artist Anastasiia Voitenko sharing awareness about Ukrainian culture and mental health of war witnesses.
Over a century after they were first published, the ghost stories of M R James retain their power to terrify and amuse. This gripping one man show retells two of the earliest and eeriest.
In this exciting murder mystery workshop, you will not only learn how to solve a thrilling crime, but also immerse yourself in the historic atmosphere of The Portico Library!
How can thinking about the editorial process make us better poets? What questions do magazine editors ask of poems before sending feedback to their authors?
