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Manchester to mark Ukrainian Independence Day with ‘vibrant’ family fun events

Locals are invited to "immerse themselves in Ukrainian culture" with authentic food, traditional dancing, and more.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 18th August 2022

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.  

Read more: Brits donate over £100 million to fundraising appeal for refugees fleeing Ukraine

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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.  

“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.

Read more: Hundreds hold vigil for Ukraine as Manchester lights up blue and yellow in solidarity

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“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.

Featured Image – Julie Cler (via Instagram)

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Co-op Live announce UFC 304 is coming to the brand-new arena for Manchester return this year

Danny Jones Danny Jones UFC 304 returns to Manchester

Co-op Live has announced one of the biggest nights yet and their first-ever sporting event after confirming that the UFC is coming to the new state-of-the-art arena.

While the shiny new music and live entertainment stadium suffered an unfortunate setback earlier this week, with both of Peter Kay’s gigs being postponed following power supply issues discovered during their test event, the confirmation of UFC 304 at Co-op Live is a big plus for the opening month.

Rumours had been circling that a huge sporting event might be coming to the UK’s newest indoor arena, one of the biggest of its kind in Europe, but this being just the fourth time the UFC has washed up on British shores, it’s a huge coup for their debut year.

Announced on Wednesday, 24 April, the global MMA phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar promotion company will be bringing their 304th fight night to Manchester on 27 July and you can roll your eyes at the pun all you like, but it’s going to be a knockout.

The UFC is coming back to Manchester for the first time in eight years.

As the UFC has said in an official press release, “UK MMA is currently experiencing what is being described as an unheralded golden era, with stars such as welterweight champion Leon Edwards, interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and local favourites, including Paddy Pimblett, Molly McCann, Muhammad Mokaev, Michael Page and Arnold Allen, with more rising through the ranks.”

That being said, there isn’t a better moment for the brand to capitalise on the growing fight audience here in the UK and 0161, specifically, with the aforementioned Aspinall having created a real appetite for the discipline in and around the city.

The Greater Manchester region has always been home to iconic fighters regardless, be it boxing or otherwise; Ricky Hatton, Tyson Fury, Amir Khan, as well adopted Manc MMA legend Michael Bisping, whose pedigree helped bring UFC to Manchester and the AO Arena for the first time back in 2016.

Nearly a decade later the promotion is now part of Co-op Live’s maiden calendar and set to be the first of many sporting events they hope to host – a plan bolstered by their partnership with neighbours, Manchester City.

ufc returning to manchester july 2024
ufc co-op live
The UFC 304 fight card is yet to be announced but there are a few local names you can probably bank on. (Credit: The Manc Audio)

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“I’m so excited to get back to Manchester, and no better time than this summer,” said UFC President and CEO Dana White. “We have two champions from the UK and fans have been dying for a UFC PPV event. So here we come to the largest indoor arena in the UK. See you soon, England!”

As for Co-op Live, Executive Director and General Manager Gary Roden added: “With the north of England home to so many of the world’s leading fighters, we are primed and ready for UFC and its knowledgeable, passionate fanbase.

“Offering a state-of-the-art platform for globally broadcast events, Co-op Live is extremely proud to welcome entertainment of this scale and calibre as the future home of combat sports in the UK.”

Co-op members get early access to presale tickets at 10am on 5 June and general admission goes live via Ticketmaster at the same time on Friday, 7 June. UFC Fight Club members will also have the opportunity to purchase tickets early on the Wednesday from 9am BST.

You can also register your interest HERE to gain access to a special pre-sale which starts on Thursday, 6 June 6 from 10am as well. Roll on fight night!

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Supplied

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Chester Zoo named best zoo in the UK thanks to more than 11,000 ‘excellent’ ratings

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official… Chester Zoo has been named to best zoo in the UK for 2024.

Everyone in and around Greater Manchester and the North West is familiar with just how brilliant the UK’s biggest charity zoo is and all the work it contributes towards conservation and protecting endangered species all across the world – but now, it’s got itself a respectable new title to prove it, and it’s all thanks to tens of thousands of positive TripAdvisor reviews.

The world’s biggest travel guidance platform has named Chester Zoo as the best-rated zoo to visit in the UK this year, with more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings.

Based on millions of online reviews, the new ranking puts the beloved Cheshire-based attraction ahead of the country’s other zoos after earning consistently good feedback from its visitors.

Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo

According to Chester Zoo, the “wonderful news” means that, as a conservation charity, it can continue its work with countries across the world to “help all animals survive and thrive”, as well as provide expert care to the 37,000 animals who currently call the zoo their home.

The zoo has also thanked its visitors for all their continued support each year, as this allows to “keep making a difference”.

“With every admission ticket, membership, animal adoption, or experience purchased, you are contributing to our mission of preventing extinction,” Chester Zoo said in a statement.

Speaking on the coveted new TripAdvisor title, Jamie Chirston, who is the CEO at Chester Zoo, says he’s “over the moon to be named the best zoo in the UK”, adding in a statement that: “It’s an incredible achievement and especially pleasing given it’s based on thousands upon thousands of genuine reviews and opinions.

“It’s a real seal of approval from our visitors, and testament to every single one of our dedicated, hardworking, and talented staff that make our conservation zoo the wonderful place it is.

“Every time someone walks through our gates, not only do they enjoy all kinds of wildlife experiences and a have great day out, but they’re also contributing to the vital conservation work we carry out here and around the world, and that’s why, as a not-for-profit conservation zoo, this top TripAdvisor ranking means such an awful lot to us.

It’s all thanks to more than 11,000 ‘Excellent’ ratings by visitors on TripAdvisor / Credit: Chester Zoo

“It’s confirmation that we’re getting things right for our visitors, [which is] especially important as, together, we’re preventing extinction and making a real difference for wildlife.”

The UK’s best zoo isn’t the only title Chester Zoo has claimed this month either, as TripAdvisor has also listed it as the eighth-best zoo or aquarium to visit in the whole of Europe too.

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So it double congratulations are in order – and they couldn’t be more well-deserved, right?

Featured Image – Chester Zoo

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