We Invented the Weekend takes place in and around the Quays this weekend, boasting over 270 free events.
With events spanning from dog shows, parades, disco boat rides, live music and theatre to cooking and football, the event is suitable for all ages.
Funded by Arts Council England, Salford City Council and Mediacity, alongside a host of support nationwide creative projects, the Festival hopes to encourage people to discover the potential of the weekend.
Creative Director, Wayne Hemingway said: “We [creative team] thought, ‘let’s make an event showing how important the weekend is and what you can do on a weekend’… There’s never been a festival that celebrates that – whether you garden, do sports or cook.
“It gives people the chance to try all different things that you can do and if everyone comes together like this, you can create a free festival. At times like this, free is very important.
The Festival remembers the role 19th century worker’s rights activists played in advocating for adequate time off from factory work. In 1843, the Greater Manchester-based initiative launched a campaign for workers to receive early finishes on Saturday, hence forming the modern ‘weekend’.
Hemingway Designs worked with the other supporting projects and felt Salford’s MediaCity captured the essence of the festival’s message. He continued: “I think it’s part of Salford and Greater Manchester’s DNA. The political history has always been possibly the strongest in that area.
“What we wanted to do is do something that’s meaningful to the place… This place invented the weekend.
“If anywhere was going to be the place to talk about workers rights, it would be Salford and greater manchester. I can’t think of anywhere else you would.
“[MediaCity] felt the most natural place to hold a festival in Manchester, especially with the indoor space, and the water. Whether you work there, or live there, we felt it was a wonderful place to hold a festival.”
WE INVENTED THE WEEKEND is The Festival of Free Time taking place on 10th and 11th September 2022, at @MediaCityUK and Salford Quays.https://t.co/gDU8bvLG9R #WeInventedTheWeekend pic.twitter.com/h0AxfdZHct
— WeInventedTheWeekend (@WITWeekend) May 18, 2022
Alongside events hosted by the likes of BBC, The Lowry and Dock10, Salford City Council has encouraged local community groups to get involved. Hemingway continued: “Hopefully these communities can attract more members and participants. Whether it’s dancing, knitting or sports clubs, there’s something for any taste.”
For more information on the event, visit We Invented the Weekend’s Website
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