MediaCity to host tens of thousands in “ambitious” cultural programme

MediaCity is set for its busiest weekend in over a decade as the creative, digital and tech destination prepares to host its “most ambitious cultural programme to date” with its inaugural new festival, We Invented the Weekend.

Tens of thousands of visitors largely from Salford and across Greater Manchester are expected to attend the free festival which will be the largest weekend event to be hosted by MediaCity in its 10-year history

The festival will see over 25 partners including the BBC, The Lowry and the University of Salford, and 50 local artists, makers and community groups delivering almost 270 activities as well as 30 music acts across 25 purpose built stages and venues across Salford Quays.

We Invented the Weekend was born from a shared ambition and commitment by Peel L&P, MediaCity, and Salford’s Culture and Place Partnership which includes The Lowry, The University of Salford, Salford City Council and arts organisations across the city to deliver a festival celebrating the invention of the weekend in Greater Manchester in 1843.

Since the global pandemic, MediaCity’s wide open spaces and waterfront have increasingly become a popular destination for residents, workers and visitors to spend their leisure time.

In response to this growing trend, MediaCity, working alongside HemingwayDesign, has brought the award-winning Box on the Docks independent dining concept, the “highly successful” Van Gogh Alive immersive art exhibition and now its “most ambitious placemaking project to date”: We Invented the Weekend.

Stephen Wild, MediaCity managing director, commented: “The delivery of We Invented the Weekend has been an extraordinary effort only made possible through working with our MediaCity and cultural partners which we’re so grateful for.

“MediaCity is a place for everyone and we will continue to evolve our placemaking strategy and work with our partners to ensure culture, leisure and opportunity is accessible to all here. Above all, we hope our visitors this weekend are inspired by what they see, find a new passion for the weekend and have fun.”

Wayne Hemingway MBE, Partner, HemingwayDesign added: “We Invented the Weekend is a real celebration of Salford and what can be achieved here in MediaCity and the wider Quays.

“This large-scale event will mark a shift in the perception of MediaCity as not only a creative, tech and digital hub but as the leading cultural waterfront destination not only in Greater Manchester but in the North of England.”

By Matthew Neville – Correspondent, Bdaily

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