First Street will be right at the heart of the action for the Manchester International Festival 2017 (MIF).
Manchester’s newest neighbourhood will play host to Ceremony by Phil Collins, the Festival’s closing event, on Sunday 16 July, which also sees the arrival of a statue for the city to commemorate the life of the remarkable Friedrich Engels, the German political theorist and Manchester resident.
The statue will be erected at Tony Wilson Place and will be a focal point at First Street for years to come. Ceremony is co-commissioned by MIF, 14-18 NOW (The UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary), and HOME at First Street.
The First Street Estate is owned and developed by leading real estate investment manager PATRIZIA, which is a corporate sponsor of this year’s festival.
Commenting on First Street and PATRIZIA’S involvement, Rob Brook, Head of Portfolio Management at PATRIZIA UK, said: “As the world’s leading festival of new work created by international artists, MIF has forged a global reputation and is testament to Manchester’s status as a key cultural hub in the UK.
At the heart of this hub is First Street’s anchor occupier HOME, so we’re delighted to announce that we are supporting this world-class festival of the arts, and that First Street will be hosting the final ceremony.”
Turner-prize nominated artist, Phil Collins, will bring MIF to a close with a live film event, Ceremony, mixing footage of the statue’s journey from Russia across Europe with live coverage of its inauguration and performances in and around First Street’s Tony Wilson Place.
HOME at First Street is also hosting the world premiere of Returning to Reims, a theatrical production by Thomas Ostermeier for MIF, and commissioned by the Schaubuhne, MIF and HOME.
First Street launched in May 2015, and since then a host of new independent bars and restaurants have opened, including The Gasworks Brewbar, The Laundrette, The Liquor Store and Indian Tiffin Room, drawing a huge following from culture lovers and people looking for a great night out.
