Manchester is to show its solidarity with the people of Ukraine by celebrating their Independence Day with a whole host of “vibrant” events next week.
As 24 August 2022 marks 31 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union, and as well as it being six months since the country was invaded by Russia, Manchester City Council has decided to support the Ukrainian Cultural Centre’s family fun day next Wednesday, and is inviting locals down to “immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture”.
People will get the chance to sample some authentic Ukrainian food, and dance to traditional Ukrainian music, while there’ll also be lots of entertainment for youngsters – with a special visit from children’s entertainer, Louby Lou.
On top of the family fun day, Manchester Central Library and the Tower of Light landmark are to be lit up in yellow and blue to show the city’s solidarity with the country.
Part of the ‘2022 Our Year initiative – which is all about amplifying the voices of children and young people across the city, and giving them opportunities they may missed out on due to the COVID-19 pandemic – the Council hopes the Independence Day festivities will also educate residents on the history and culture of Ukraine, as well as support the city’s international Ukrainian community.
For Independence Day of Ukraine, Manchester's Ukrainian Centre have partnered with #2022OurYear to host an extra special family fun day!
Join us on Wednesday 24 August, 12:30pm-9pm, for a day of food, dancing, music, and entertainment.
“Manchester stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian community, and our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones in the war and those still living through the conflict,” said Councillor Joanna Midgley – Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council.
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“Manchester has a large Ukrainian community, and the city is proud to stand with them.
“Over the last six months, we have shown our continued solidarity with our Ukrainian friends by opening the MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund, hosting the #stopwar concert in March and many of our residents have generously welcomed Ukrainian refugees into their homes.
“Now, with Ukrainian Independence Day this month, we will continue to stand by and celebrate the community.”
24 August 2022 marks 31 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union / Credit: Julie Cler (via Instagram) | Yves Herman
Keen to show your support for Ukraine next week?
As well as heading on down to the family fun day, those wanting to support the Manchester Ukrainian community can donate to the ‘MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund’, which funds charities and voluntary sector groups providing assistance – such as small grants for essential items and advice – to families and individuals relocating to the city.
An impressive £68,000 has already been raised to date, and you can donate to MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund here.
Locals are invited to “immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture” / Credit: Manchester City Council
You can also join in with people from right across the UK who will be showing their solidarity with Ukraine through the #SunflowersForUkraine campaign, which encourages the public to show their solidarity with Ukraine through growing, crafting, and sharing pictures of the country’s national flower on Independence Day.
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“I’d encourage all residents to celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day and support the community,” Cllr Midgely concluded.
LEGO-loving little Mancs can now compete against the world to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’
Emily Sergeant
Little Mancs who love LEGO can now enter a worldwide competition and battle it out to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.
Is your child a LEGO super fan? Do they reckon they could build impressive LEGO creations in their sleep? Well, if they’re feeling brave enough and are ready to put their skills to the test, then you’ll want to take them down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, as the hunt is one for a talented youngster to be crowned the UK’s newest ‘Mini Master Model Builder’.
Young LEGO fans will have the chance to let their imaginations run wild in a “bricktastic” competition, by building the most epic creation entirely out of LEGO bricks in an attempt to take home the coveted title.
Participants are invited to “demonstrate their imagination and creativity” by constructing something extraordinary that will leave the judges in awe – with the judges particularly interested in an array of building techniques and a strong creative flare, so entrants should “think outside the box” and let their personality and interests shine through.
Little Mancs who love LEGO can now compete to become a ‘Mini Master Model Builder’ / Credit: Supplied
Finalists will be chosen by the LEGOLAND Master Model Builders and Playmakers.
Each Discovery Centre in Manchester and Birmingham will then crown its own ‘Mini Master Model Builder’, and the winners will work with the local Master Model Builder to create their final models, which will then compete in the global final.
Winners will be given the unique opportunity of having their creation displayed at the iconic LEGO House in Denmark, plus a prize of £100 to spend in the LEGOLAND store, and a Local Annual Pass for them and their family too.
Up to the challenge then? All hopeful Mini Master Model Builders will need to get themselves down to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester at Trafford Palazzo – which is next to the Trafford Centre – any weekend up until the start of February.
Entry into the competition is included in the price of one standard admission ticket to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester.
All entries must be made by those under the age of 18, and only one entry per person can be made.
To find out more about the competition and how to enter, check out the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
There’s a non-alcoholic pairing dinner coming to Manchester this Dry Jan
Thomas Melia
A one-night-only pairing of two dining out staples from the food and drink world is coming to Manchester next month, and it also happens to be non-alcoholic for anyone doing Dry January.
Taking place at the wonderful Maray over on Lincoln Square, each dish served throughout the night will be expertly paired with a non-alcoholic drink from zero-per cent experts, Lucky Saint.
This Middle Eastern eatery is always surprising its diners, last September they made their infamous roasts free for one day only, and this upcoming event is sure to be as exciting with its unique tastings.
Lucky Saint came to fruition after partnering with a historical brewery in Bavaria who’ve produced beer for over 400 years, creating a non alcoholic alternative which greeted UK drinkers in 2020.
Lucky Saint will be readily available and paired with every meal.Diners can expect some sensational food as always from Maray. Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Titled ‘The Official Beer Of Dry January’, supplying IPAs and lagers to a host of stockists, not only are their products fully non-alcoholic but they’re also entirely plant-based – meaning they’re the perfect tie-in with Veganuary.
If their website is anything to go by, diners are set to enjoy refreshments such as their unfiltered lager and a 0.5% ‘Hazy’ IPA which contains juicy tropical notes. Don’t mind if we do.
Although it’s hard to say what the food offerings may be, it’s guaranteed that anyone who attends is in for a treat as this site has even served famous faces like Dua Lipa back in 2022 while she was on tour.
Their vegan menu features some meat free feasts like a falafel sharer and a delicious oyster mushroom shwarma, it’s a well-loved restaurant.
Vegans are certainly catered for at this event as it’s not only the free-flowing drinks that contain no animal products, there will also be an entirely vegan menu on hand.
Maray have multiple locations but anyone who couldn’t get enough of the flavours the first time in Manchester can attend their Liverpool pairing dinner which is happening the very next day.
The Maray x Lucky Saint Dry January Pairing Dinner is coming to Manchester on Wednesday, 15 January from 7-9:30pm with tickets live HERE.
And if you’re looking for other places to enjoy a guilt-free drink in the city centre this month, we’ve got a few suggestions for you:
Doing #DryJan doesn't have to mean staying in or saying goodbye to the pub. 🍹
Emily Sergeant -
18th August 2022 
