Manchester International Festival returns

This year’s Manchester International Festival (MIF) kicks off 29th June with the free opening event, What is the City but the People?, beginning at 6.30pm in Piccadilly Gardens.

First taking shape in 2005, Bruntwood has been official partner for the internationally renowned festival from the very start and our excitement for the event never fades. Staged every two years in the great city of Manchester, the MIF brings together artists from a range of different art forms and backgrounds.

Each year, audiences are invited to explore innovative and forward-thinking works, hosted in some of Greater Manchester’s most popular venues. And a few car parks.

But why does Bruntwood want to get involved with an event like MIF you might wonder? Brand Developer at Bruntwood, Bilal Alam, explains “it’s all about investing in creativity within the city. We believe a vibrant city creates the best environment for people and businesses to thrive.

“As a champion of innovation we’re proud to support one of the most dynamic and respected art festivals in the world. We bring together the world’s best artists to invigorate this city and use it as a platform for new work to entertain and amaze.”

Bruntwood is committed to making its great cities greater and MIF is definitely one event that continuously raises the bar for Manchester.

Bruntwood will also be doing its part to entertain alongside MIF, creating MIF hubs within some of its buildings as part of the festival experience. Here’s just some of what you can expect.

Neo on Charlotte Street will become home to Lost Memories Dot Net, a game commissioned for this year’s MIF. A set designer will be creating a teenager’s bedroom in the building’s reception area, which will become the only place where the game can be played.

In Oxford Place, there will be a Woodpecker installed on the windows. This unique drawing device will display MIF tweets sent throughout the festival, showing audiences’ reactions to the events.

Other buildings and developments across the city will also be dressed with images from the festival, so keep your eye out.

If you can’t make it to any of the performances this year, don’t forget that Festival Square will be open throughout the festival with Heathcote & Co, Honest Crust, Manjit's Kitchen, Hispi and Ginger's Comfort Emporium all serving menus created specifically for MIF.

MIF takes place 29th June until 16th July. Click here to watch a short video about what you can expect at this year’s festival.