Manchester People - Student Special 2009

Dear Student, 

We're very proud of our city and we want you to feel a part of its pulse and share that pride. 

You'll already have formed an impression of the city. You are doubtless aware of its buzzing night life, world-class sports facilities and reputation for innovation. 

Manchester is a city of firsts - a place where history is made - and we at Manchester City Council are determined to ensure that it stays at the cutting edge of development. 

You might have seen some of the media coverage enthusing about our second Manchester International Festival (MIF). In keeping with Manchester's character, it is the world's first festival wholly featuring new and original work. Highlights this time included an eyebrow-raising collaboration between arguably two of Manchester's finest groups of musicians: Elbow and the Hallé Orchestra. MIF returns in 2011, so there's an early date for your diary! 

We are, of course, a city that 's renowned throughout the world for our music. From influential acts such as The Smiths, Joy Division, New Order and Oasis (plus Manchester University graduates The Chemical Brothers) to more recent successes such as Elbow and the Ting Tings, there's always something of note coming out of Manchester. 

It's also the perfect place to catch live music. The MEN Arena, which regularly hosts big-name acts, is the busiest live venue in the world, and there are gig venues galore. One of the most legendary, the Band On The Wall, reopens this autumn after extensive refurbishment. You can catch some of the best new and unsigned bands at October's In The City Live event. 

You'll soon discover how the city loves to have a good time, with a huge range of events such as Manchester Comedy Festival, Manchester Jazz Festival, Manchester Pride, Chinese New Year and Irish Festival celebrations, as well as the magical Christmas Markets. Exposures, the UK's largest competitive student film festival, presents the very best from local, national and international student filmmakers at The Cornerhouse cinema and Urbis in November. 

Our football clubs, Manchester City and Manchester United, need no introduction. Other sports too have their national headquarters in the city, so make sure you visit the velodrome and the tennis and squash courts at Sportcity. 

Manchester regularly hosts international sports events. For instance this October the Co-operative World Netball Series brings the world's top nations to the city and Olympic medal winning stars of British cycling will be chasing top titles at the National Track Cycling Championships, UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classic and UCI Paracycling World Championships. Next year, look out for the European Badminton Championships in April and FIL World Lacrosse Championships in July with 30 nations taking part. 

You'll be studying in a city where the first computer (nick named 'The Baby') was created in 1949, where the first public lending library was opened in 1852, and where the Co-operative movement (established in 1844) gave rise to ethical trading - something we still pursue as a Fair trade city. 

The city also has a history of radicalism, whether it's fighting for equality or daring to think big. For example it was also in Manchester just over a century ago Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters founded the Women's Social and Political Union, which paved the way for women to win the vote. 

We are aiming to become Britain's greenest city, with key goals including reducing the city's carbon emissions at a faster rate than Kyoto targets. 

By choosing Manchester, you've made yourself part of the biggest student community in any European city. We're sure you'll make the most of your time - the following pages will hopefully give you a few pointers. 

At any rate, we happen to think you'll be in the smartest, friendliest city on the planet. 

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council