Manchester International Festival is back and so is MIF Daily – our curated guide to the festival! We’ll tell you what to read, watch, listen to and do to make the most of MIF25.

MIF Daily is filled with top tips, recommendations and free events to help you navigate the busy festival. Head behind the scenes with interviews, studio visits and editorials, taking you out into the city and far beyond.

Look out for MIF Daily on Factory+ from Tuesday to Sunday throughout the festival.

Come rain or shine, we’ll see you on Festival Square!

READ: I COME FROM BY SAM

Today, our partner schools take over the Undercroft for an end-of-year celebration. You can join workshops, watch a talent show and explore their art.

Here is a poem by Sam from A Little Book of Us – a collection of poetry they have made, exploring themes of identity, self-discovery and imagined futures.

I come from summer trips

by the sea in Wales.

I come from the British Isles

And a bit of the Land of the Free.

I come from munching

a juicy burger when eating out

And a world of imagination

When alone in my box room.

I come from playing football

for my childhood team

and strumming melodies

on the strings of a guitar.

I come from playing Playstation

Every night.

I come from early to bed

Early to rise.

I come from hot chocolate

After an autumn walk

And Lego built using

my creative thoughts.

Watch: Staff picks

Get the insider knowledge on what we’re most excited for!

Centered Instagram Embed

SNAPS: THE HERDS

A photo of animal puppets outside the football museum with a cellist from Manchester Camerata orchestra
A photo of a crown of people gathered around puppets shaped like life-sized giraffes made of cardboard and wood

LISTEN: FAFSWAG CURATES

This playlist by FAFSWAG is on repeat at HOME throughout their takeover.

Want to find out more about FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE? Join them for an artist talk in the Social at 2pm.

DO: SPOKEN WORD ON THE SQUARE

Head to Festival Square today to soak up the sun and get your spoken word fix!

Blurring the lines between gig, rave and spoken word ritual, From the Soil brings Manchester’s most electric voices to the stage for a night dedicated to the sounds, stories and rhythms of the Black diaspora.

In the Social, Sounds of the Diaspora returns with a vibrant celebration of women in music – featuring DJ Audrey Hall, Spicy Velvet, Kikè and more.

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