Many Roads, One Journey: Music, Poetry and Belonging in an Iranian Church Community - Poetry Event

This weekend of events at Emmanuel Church in Manchester grows out of research by the University of Liverpool with the church’s Farsi-speaking community. The research looks at experiences of faith and belonging, and at the different ways in which Farsi and English are used in church and community life. For the Festival, we are opening up some of these questions to the wider community through two participatory events.

On Sunday 18 October, 2–4 pm, Many Roads, One Journey will be a smaller, participatory poetry event. We will share poetry and readings in Farsi, English, Italian and Greek, including a short biblical reflection. Poems about journeys, roads and home will provide a starting point for talking about people’s own experiences of migration and belonging. Participants are also invited to bring a favourite poem in their own language if they would like to share it.

Italian refreshments will be provided.

Both events are led by Dr Caterina Guardamagna, Lecturer in English Language and Linguistics at the University of Liverpool, and Mrs Christina Balaska, in collaboration with St James & Emmanuel Church, Didsbury. The Saturday event is delivered in partnership with theaward-winning Sahba Academy Music school and Cultural centre, Manchester.

The events bring together members of Emmanuel’s Iranian congregation, the wider church community and anyone interested in joining the conversation. No previous knowledge of the research, Iranian music or poetry is needed.

Anyone interested in music, poetry, culture, or religion.

Also a music event on Saturday 17th October.