Never-before-seen portraits of local Holocaust survivors are to go on display at the Imperial War Museum (IWM) North in Manchester later this month.
The new photography exhibition is set to open and mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2023.
Following its successful inaugural run at IWM London back in 2021, the exhibition – which is titled Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors – features 60 contemporary portraits of Holocaust survivors and their families, alongside four new photographs taken by The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) President and Chair of Trustees, Simon Hill.
Set to open at the IWM North on Friday 27 January, and run right through until the summer, the exhibition showcases works from 13 different contemporary photographers.
This collection of powerful photographs are said to capture the special connections between Holocaust survivors and the younger generations of their families, while also shining a light on the full lives that they lived in a bid to ensure their stories live on forever.
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New portraits of local Holocaust survivors to go on display at Manchester’s Imperial War Museum / Credit: IWM
IWM say the photographs in this exhibition present a group of survivors who made the UK their home after beginnings marked by “unimaginable loss and trauma”.
Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors will set out to remind visitors of the Trafford-based museum’s collective responsibility to remember and share stories about those who endured conflict and persecution.
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“Portrait photography can be one of the most difficult or one of the easiest genres in which to work,” explained Simon Hill – President of the Royal Photographic Society.
“So much depends on the relationship that is formed, often in an instant, between the subject and photographer, and it has been an immense privilege to meet each of these camp survivors and refugees and to explore with them their unique stories.
The new photography exhibition is set to open and mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2023 / Credit: IWM
“All portrait photographs invite a three-way dialogue – between the subject, the photographer and the viewer.
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“I hope that my portraits of these amazing people, pictured with members of their family, will help to encourage a dialogue, with a wider audience, that will ensure their personal stories are never forgotten and subsequent generations can celebrate their incredible perseverance in the face of unimaginable horror and suffering.”
James Bulgin – Content Leader of IWM’s Holocaust Galleries – added that these remarkable images of survivors and the generations that followed them are “a powerful and important reminder of the catastrophic destruction of the Holocaust”.
Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors is a free exhibition opening at IWM North on Friday 27 January 2023 and running until summer 2023.
Featured Image – IWM
Art & Culture
Comedy sensation Matt Rife announces new arena tour with Manchester show
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Matt Rife has just announced a brand-new world tour, with an arena show in Manchester on the cards.
The American comic, who has a whopping 11m followers on Instagram and 20m on TikTok, will be performing a night at the AO Arena on his extended Stay Golden World Tour.
It’s one of 40+ new dates across North America and Europe, on a tour which will feature a 360 degree in-the-round stage at select venues.
The record-breaking comedian had already announced shows across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada, and performed shows across the States.
He’s been the youngest comedian to ever sell out New York’s Madison Square Garden – and he did two sold-out nights.
He’s shattered ticket sale records at arenas right across the USA, too.
Matt Rife has become one of the hottest names in comedy thanks to his razor-sharp crowd work and massive social media following, with over 44.6 million followers and more than three billion views globally, as well as chart-topping Netflix specials.
The 30-year-old entertainer will release a new Netflix special – Matt Rife: Unwrapped – on 2 December this year.
The ‘Christmas Crowd Work Special’ will ‘explore gifts, traditions and who’s made it on the naughty or nice list this year’.
Matt Rife will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on
Tickets for Matt Rife in Manchester at the AO Arena will go on sale from Wednesday 12 November for artist presale, and general sale will begin from 2pm on Friday 14 November.
First look at Albert Square as Manchester Christmas Markets return to their spiritual home
Thomas Melia
Manchester Christmas Markets are back and all our Christmas wishes have come true, as its spiritual home Albert Square joins in on the festivities for the first time in six years.
Grab a mulled wine, toast yourself a marshmallow and take a seat, because we’re going to take you on a quick tour of this brand-new offering.
You’ll be able to tick off your Christmas Markets wish list in one place, as Manchester has got all your usual favourites and so much more taking place right here outside of its iconic Town Hall.
As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by a huge sign spelling out the city’s iconic abbreviation ‘MCR’, just in case you forgot where you were, that also doubles as a nice photo opportunity.
Albert Square in Manchester city centre is getting into the Christmas spirit for the first time in six years / Credit: The Manc Group
As you walk into Albert Square there’s a mix of nostalgic wooden huts and brightly coloured modern street food vendor stations waiting to tempt you with all their tasty treats.
There’s no messing around at this Christmas hotspot because not even 10 feet after you enter, you can warm up with a glühwein and bratwurst, yes please.
Think you’re done sampling some festive feasts? Think again as there’s a marshmallow toasting station, a roasted chestnut cart and lots of huts are offering their own hot chocolate creations.
Local street food vendor Rita’s Reign has made her mark in Albert Square too, serving up her foodie feasts with a seasonal spin such as the ‘Festive Feast’ and ‘Christmas Crunch’ combo boxes.
Rita’s Reign is just one of many food vendors at Manchester Christmas Markets / Credit: The Manc Group
As you keep making your way round there’s some lovely gifts and trinkets to browse including tree decorations, ornaments and some vibrant pieces of art.
There’s plenty of ways to keep the kids (and big kids) entertained with some carnival-themed games and stalls as well as a vintage carousel, if that doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit what else will?
Of course, there’s even more food to mention like mini dutch pancakes, toasted sandwiches, French toast, the list is endless (Much like many of our Christmas lists).
And we couldn’t finish our visit without acknowledging the elephant in the room, also known as The Manchester Big Wheel, which is the perfect people-watching spot, but maybe hop on this ride before you try all the tasty treats mentioned above.
Emily Sergeant -
16th January 2023 
