Highly-revered multimedia artist and activist Yoko Ono is launching a public artwork project on billboards in Manchester city centre.
To mark Earth Day 2021 – which takes place today (22nd April) – the 88-year-old’s iconic message, ‘I love you Earth’, will tower out on billboards over the Mancunian Way, as well as several other prominent locations in Glasgow, Liverpool and London.
‘I love you Earth’ was a song on Ono’s 1985 album titled Starpeace.
Organisers said the art project is to serve as a “reminder to those who see it to ask themselves, ‘Do I love the Earth? How am I expressing that love? Could I do more?’”.
The billboards – which have been installed with London-based art gallery Serpentine Galleries and are part of a Serpentine project with more than 60 artists, architects, poets, filmmakers, scientists, thinkers and designers responding to the environmental crisis – are to celebrate Earth Day.
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Earth Day is annually marked across the globe and seeks to promote and encourage discussions and action surrounding climate change, equality and environmental justice.
Yoko Ono, whose late husband was The Beatles’ John Lennon, said: “There are so many of us in the world who are now awakened, ready to act to save our world, so, let’s work together to save this planet.
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“Together. That’s how we will change the world. We change, and the world changes.
“Have trust in what you can do. Have trust in how fast we can change our world for the better. Why? Because we have to. Believe that we are one and together we will make it. Love is what connects all lives on Earth”.
Serpentine Galleries
Serpentine’s Artistic Director, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Chief Executive, Bettina Korek, said: “As communities across the UK return to public places in our cities, they will be welcomed by Yoko Ono’s powerful positive statement for the planet, I Love You Earth…
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“Planned before this global health crisis hit, Back to Earth could not be more urgent now as we work with artists to understand and address our relationship with the Earth and everything in it”.
The ‘I love you Earth’ project is the first work from Yoko Ono in Manchester since Manchester International Festival’s (MIF) moving curtain-raiser ‘Bells for Peace’, which assembled communities from across the city in 2019.
Featured Image – Jan Koblanski
City Centre
Manchester’s favourite Irish pub Mulligans is giving away hundreds of FREE pints next week
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s oldest and most iconic Irish pub has announced that it’s giving away hundreds of free pints next week.
Mulligans is finally adding the beloved Irish stout Murphy’s to its already-exceptional draught beer lineup, and to celebrate the launch of Guinness’ slightly lesser-known cousin, the first 1,989 people through the doors will get a pint of the good stuff for free on one day only next week.
Originating from Cork, Murphy’s is known for its smooth, mellow profile with subtle notes of caramel and malt.
The much-loved stout was first introduced on draught in the UK all the way back in 1989, hence the number of free pints being given away next week.
The unmissable giveaway will be taking place for one day only next Thursday (8 May) from 11am right through to 1am, and open to all punters on a first-come, first-served basis, with one free pint per person… but you’ll need to be quick if you want a freebie, because once those 1,989 pints are gone, they’re gone for good.
Mulligans is giving away hundreds of free pints of Murphy’s next week / Credit: Supplied
Murphy’s joins Guinness as the second stout on draught at Mulligans, and with the Deansgate institution already famed for pouring what many call ‘the best Guinness outside of Ireland’, you can expect that every pint of Murphy’s will be just as expertly poured.
Those heading to Mulligans for their free pint next Thursday can also look forward to the venue’s famously-lively entertainment being in full swing all day long.
“Murphy’s has been a long time coming and we’re excited to finally be serving it on draught,” commented Pádraig Brady, who is the owner of Mulligans, ahead of next week’s highly-anticipated giveaway.
“The idea behind this giveaway isn’t just to introduce the stout and celebrate its history, but to give people another reason to enjoy a proper Thursday day and night at Mulligans with our extensive live entertainment offering.”
In case you missed it, Mulligans recently had a bit of makeover, which most-notably included the renovation of its upstairs space complete with vaulted timber-beamed ceilings, a mezzanine-level stage, and two new bars with even more room for dancing and drinking.
So if you haven’t had a chance to check out the new space yet, then what could be better than sipping on a free pint while you’re at it?
The Murphy’s giveaway will take place on Thursday 8 May from 11am, and guests are encouraged to arrive early to claim their freebie.
Featured Image – Supplied
City Centre
A literacy charity is making its way to Manchester bringing lots of FREE books
Thomas Melia
A charity dedicated to literacy is coming to Manchester in May providing families and individuals with plenty of free books.
Led by Bookbanks, this London-founded organisation was set up in line with food banks to provide people with access to free books and now they’re coming all the way to Manchester.
This charity started in 2022 all thanks to writer and journalist Emily Rhodes, who has read her fair share of books and wants to give this privilege to anyone who might not be able to get their hands on any.
The charity has seen widespread positive reception quickly expanding into Norfolk and is now partnering with various food banks in Manchester, marking the organisation’s first Northern venture.
Bookbanks gives out an average of 30 books per week, per site and has distributed over 5,000 books so far at food banks.
Crates being organised in Manchester food bank.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Titled Bookbanks after the fact that they work very closely with food banks to provide books far and wide to food banks across the UK, they also host a range of interactive events.
Alongside all the fantastic work the team do, there’s a handful of free workshops and author events on offer for all ages and backgrounds, to further build the connection between people and their books.
Currently, there are two famous figures backing this book-based charity, Elizabeth Day and Andrew O’Hagan, both of which are no stranger to a pen and paper.
Day is an award-winning author who has written nine fiction and non-fiction books to date, while O’Hagan is Booker Prize nominated and is London Review of Books’ Editor-at-Large.
Bookbanks relies on the general public to spread their message further and there’s even a section on their website detailing how you can get involved to continue distributing books within food banks.
One of Bookbank’s many free author events, some of which will hopefully take place in Manchester.Credit: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Whether you’re an avid runner or keen to try something new why not raise money for and be sponsored by Bookbanks, knowing you’ve done your bit to bring books to those who need them most.
If you don’t fancy lacing up those trainers and heading out for a run, why not donate any old books you’ve finished reading to this book-focused charity and allow others to discover a whole new world of reading.
Bookbanks first official Manchester site will launch on Friday 2 May at Manchester Central Food bank and a second site is already in talks at Greater Together Manchester’s Social Supermarket in Miles Platting.
To find out more ways to get involved as a company, publisher, member of public and more, you can find all information on their official site HERE.
Featured Image: Publicity Picture via Annabelle Williams
Emily Sergeant -
22nd April 2021 
