City hails Manchester International Festival’s success

Manchester International Festival was hailed as a success at the Council’s Executive Committee meeting with a unanimous decision of continued support for 2009.

With huge critical acclaim from the world's press and sell out productions of Monkey: Journey to the West, Interiors, Lou Reed and PJ Harvey to name only a few, Manchester International Festival, a biennial event is now being planned for 2009.

The Observer described Manchester as "the cultural heart of Britain" and the Los Angeles Times said: "The gloomy, angry, English city that spawned rock icons is now a vibrant indie scene of cafes and culture and its musical heart still beats on."

The inaugural event ran from June 28 until July 15 with the brief of showing original, new work, there were 25 new commissions alongside a programme of international music and a debate series.

The ambitious projects aimed to bring new audiences to the arts whilst providing a platform for regional artists to show their work on an international stage.

Throughout the programme there was a strong community element with free events such as the incredibly popular Manchester Dines, which saw local restaurateurs provide a feast for the masses along huge trestle tables at Manchester Central. The event, which ran over two days, was a celebration of Manchester's multiculturalism and great cuisine.

Up to 15,000 local people enjoyed the spectacular, free, event The Great Indoors, also held at Manchester Central, which saw interactive performances and games for all the family.

The Festival also had a strong educational programme accompanying productions such as Monkey: Journey to the West and Queen and Country.

Residencies were also set up in two Manchester schools for children with learning disabilities, working with award-winning theatre company Oily Cart.

The Leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, said: "The Festival was an immense success and we are proud to support it in 2009. I'm sure we will continue to build on 2007 and hope to reach even more people and show the world that Manchester is indeed the cultural heart of Britain.

"The Festival is a celebration of regional talent, with the likes of the BBC Philharmonic and the Halle working with established artists to create unprecedented new work and we hope it continues to delight people from all over the world."

Manchester City Council backed the Festival by investing £2million, which was then more than doubled in sponsorship.

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