A rumble of discontent is brewing amongst artists in Manchester who worry that the Manchester International Festival’s focus is too much International, not enough Manchester.
THE TENTS are going up in Albert Square. Actors, dancers, choreographers and musicians are putting themselves through final rehearsals. The sun is even threatening to shine.
But for all the excitement of the final preparations for the Manchester International Festival (2-19 July) there is an undercurrent of discontent in some sections of Manchester’s artistic community.
The ambiguity is right there in the name. Manchester International Festival. Where should the emphasis be? Manchester International Festival or Manchester International Festival? Has the dazzling carnival of culture, with its big names from all over the globe, been so focused on its worldwide reputation that it has forgotten the little matter of the M word?
“MIF have pulled off a very clever trick by incorporating the word 'international' in their title,” says Manchester artist David Gledhill. “Many people think the inclusion of that word relieves them of any responsibility to the regional arts community but it's symptomatic of the sclerotic state of the arts that international always means 'somewhere else'.... Keep reading on Manchester Confidential
But for all the excitement of the final preparations for the Manchester International Festival (2-19 July) there is an undercurrent of discontent in some sections of Manchester’s artistic community.
The ambiguity is right there in the name. Manchester International Festival. Where should the emphasis be? Manchester International Festival or Manchester International Festival? Has the dazzling carnival of culture, with its big names from all over the globe, been so focused on its worldwide reputation that it has forgotten the little matter of the M word?
“MIF have pulled off a very clever trick by incorporating the word 'international' in their title,” says Manchester artist David Gledhill. “Many people think the inclusion of that word relieves them of any responsibility to the regional arts community but it's symptomatic of the sclerotic state of the arts that international always means 'somewhere else'.... Keep reading on Manchester Confidential