Refugee Week 2026 at Manchester Libraries
Between 15 to 21 June 2026, Manchester Libraries are hosting a range of activities as part of Refugee Week.
The theme for Refugee Week this year is ‘Courage’, and is the world’s largest arts and culture festival celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Manchester Libraries are Libraries of Sanctuary, providing a welcome space for all including people seeking sanctuary. We have an amazing line-up of events during this week to raise awareness and support for refugees.
Our Hello Saturdays sessions will run a Refugee Week themed craft on Saturday 20 June – venue details and times below:
Abraham Moss Library: 10am-12noon
Avenue Library: 11am-12noon
Beswick Library: 12.30-2pm
Newton Heath Library: 11am-12noon
North City Library: 10.30am-12noon
There will be Refugee Week themed activities at weekly drop-in craft clubs – venue details, dates and times below:
Arcadia Library: Thursday 18 June, 3.30-4.30pm
Hulme High St Library: Wednesday 19 June, 3.30-4.30 pm
Powerhouse Library: Thursday 18 June, 4-5pm
Didsbury Library, Saturday 20 June, 1.30 – 3.00pm
At Central Library, join us on Saturday 20 June, 11am-4pm for a special day of events celebrating the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. Experience a community Persian Calligraphy taster session led by Iranian artist Sareh Moradi, join storytime sessions, and much more:
Persian Calligraphy Workshop: 11am-1pm (lower ground floor)
Farsi Storytime: 3-4pm, Children’s Library (lower ground floor)
Arabic Storytime: 1-2pm, Children’s Library (lower ground floor)
Central Library will also host a Refugee Week themed Conversation Club on Thursday 18 June, 1-2.30pm and host Talk English sessions every Tuesday 12.30-2.30pm on the ground floor.
You can also join us at Gorton Library on Tuesday 16 June, or Longsight Library on Wednesday 17 June, for a free showing of Director Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor’s 2025 film, Dreamers – a powerful story of resilience, solidarity, and love in the face of institutional control. Young people between the age of 15-17 can attend with a parent/carer/responsible adult. Film will start at 6pm promptly. Light refreshments will be provided.
Gorton Library Film Screening booking details and link: Refugee Week Film: Dreamers Tickets, Tuesday, June 16 • 5:45 PM – 7:45 PM | Eventbrite
Longsight Library Film Screening booking details and link: Refugee Week Film: Dreamers Tickets, Wednesday, June 17 • 5:45 PM – 7:45 PM | Eventbrite
