Event type: Festival

The Book of Damascus

Join Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2026 for a celebration of storytelling, writing, and critical thinking from the Syrian Capital, in association with Comma Press.

Damascus is a city of contradictions. Simultaneously the oldest city in the world, rich with Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic architecture, and one of the most modern and developed in the Middle East, it stands at a cross-roads between East and West, the past and the future, peace and war. The latest instalment in Comma’s ‘Reading the City’ series is filled with the perspectives of ordinary Syrians we never read about in the news – be they teenage boys scheming to raise funds for a longed-for Eid picnic; impoverished girls picking through rubbish dumps hoping to find gold, or more mystical characters like the mysterious guardians who watch over the seven planet-themed gates of the old town.

LAAF, in association with Comma Press, would like to invite you to join us for an evening of readings, translations and discussions about the challenges that Damascus has survived and what lies ahead for it, in these most precarious times.

The event will be chaired by Comma’s Ra Page.

About the speakers:

Odai Al-Zoubi is a Syrian short-story writer, essayist, and translator. Born in Damascus in 1981, he studied electrical engineering at Damascus University (1998-2004), followed by philosophy at Lebanese University (2003-2007). He has a PhD in Philosophy from University of East Anglia. He has published one travelogue – Moving Shadows (Khan Aljanub, Berlin, 2025), and five collections of short stories: Silence (Al-Mutawassit, 2015), Windows (Al-Mutawassit, 2017), The Book of Wisdom and Naivety (Mamdouh Adwan, 2019), Half-Smile (Mamdouh Adwan, 2022), and Shackled Hearts (Safsafa, 2024).

Zaher Omareen is a war correspondent, filmmaker, and writer whose creative work is inspired by the conflict zones in which he has worked: Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, and Iraq. He often explores the intersection of documentary and fiction, and his writing has been featured on BBC Radio 4, and in the anthologies Banthology: Stories from Unwanted Nations (Comma Press and Deep Vellum, 2018) and the bilingual Danish-English collection Eksil (Screaming Books, 2019), as well as in the journals Words Without Borders, Massachusetts Review, The Common, M-Dash and Trafika Europe. He co-edited the seminal Syria Speaks: Art and Culture from the Frontline (Saqi Books/Dar Saqi, 2014) and is the editor of The Book of Damascus.

Majd Abu Shawish is a Gaza-born, Manchester-based translator, poet and writer. His translations from the Arabic have previous appeared in The Guardian and numerous Comma Press anthologies. He has an MA in International Studies from Sheffield University.

WoWFEST: Jimmy Rose: a radio play in a theatrical setting

Pariah Productions presents Jimmy Rose, written and directed by Tom Hall, produced for One Hour Theatre Company, by Victor Merriman.

Jimmy Rose is presented as a radio play in a theatrical setting, offering WoWFest audiences a unique collective listening experience.

At a tender age Herman Melville experienced a reversal of fortune upon the sudden death of his father, a man of apparently substantial means.  The family was suddenly confronted with a mountain of debt and the ruin of all their immediate expectations. Perhaps this turn of fate prompted the many critiques of American capitalism which appear both as themes and traces in his body of work.

“Jimmy Rose”, draws on Melville’s short story of the same name, set in old New York before the Civil War, and foregrounding a glamorous bachelor plutocrat who has attained an Olympian stature in the city. Everybody knows Jimmy Rose, the great and the good seek to dine at his table, where he dispenses wit, bonhomie, and business advice.

Yet when quite literally his ship(s) fail to come in, this paragon of American success falls from that Paradise from whose heights he once projected ultimate authority and influence.  It is an honour to present “Jimmy Rose” under WoWFEST 2026’s theme, New World Disorder, not least because of the origins of contemporary upheavals in a febrile world-financial system forged in nineteenth-century urban America. – Tom Hall, Dublin. May 2026

Jimmy Rose is Tom Hall’s fifth play for WoWFest, his Bartleby: A Tale of Wall Street featuring in the online festival (2021), Anything for a Laugh (2024), I Live Alone and My Own Free Voice (double bill, 2025). Tom was born in Vermont, USA, and has lived in Ireland since 1995, following periods in Mexico, where he began writing. Jimmy Rose develops the production values of previous plays, which featured solo performers, David Llewelyn (2021), Victor Merriman (2024 and 2025a), and Jane Hogarth (2025b), respectively. Tom assembled a cast of well-established Irish actors to record the play at Les Keye’s Arad Studios, Dublin. Brendan Conroy, who is known to Liverpool audiences for his lead role in Lizzie Nunnery’s Intemperance (Capital of Culture production, Everyman Theatre), plays Jimmy Rose.

Victor Merriman is Emeritus Professor in Drama at Edge Hill University, and a founder-director of One Hour Theatre Company.

Date: Tuesday 19th MayTime: 17.30 – 18.30 (doors open 5.15pm)Venue: Quaker Meeting House, School Lane, Liverpool (Beside Bluecoat Arts Centre)Tickets: £5

 

WoWFEST: Children’s Storytelling at the Palm House

Join Writing on the Wall this half term for a lively and inspiring morning led by much-loved children’s writers and performers Claire Weetman, Jude Lennon and Patrick Graham. This vibrant event will spark young imaginations, celebrate cultural heritage, and introduce children to the magic and power of stories brought to life aloud.

Through captivating tales and creative expression, young listeners will be inspired not only to listen but to dream up adventures of their own. Perfect for families looking for an enriching half-term activity, this joyful gathering celebrates community, creativity and the rich oral traditions of storytelling in one of Liverpool’s most beautiful venues.

Visual artist and storyteller Claire Weetman has worked with communities and schools in the North of England for over 20 years producing works including Giants Blankets and Dreams of Wonder, a community painting, the size of two tennis courts on the site of a former coal mine in St Helens; Constellations of Kindness, a series of sculptural installations in schools and community venues about stars, storytelling and the power of working together; and Walking Together/Walking Apart a gift box of cards created with women during lockdown that shared ways of supporting each other and standing up for our freedoms.

Jude Lennon is an award-winning children’s author and former Head of Early Years who now runs Little Lamb Tales, delivering storytelling sessions in schools, libraries and festivals. She has published over 20 books for children, spanning picture books, chapter books and educational titles, often exploring themes of mindfulness, inclusion and road safety. Crowned Disney Winnie the Pooh Laureate for the North West in 2014 and a recipient of the Points of Light Award for services to literacy, Jude is a passionate advocate for reading and creativity, serving as a Patron of Reading and supporting aspiring writers through workshops and mentoring.

Patrick Graham is a Liverpool-born poet, writer and performer and the creative force behind Black Out Productions. A familiar voice on Merseyside stages, he has performed at venues including the Liverpool Everyman and Unity Theatre, blending poetry, storytelling and history with powerful presence. His workshops span creative writing, drama and explorations of local and global Black history, reflecting his deep commitment to education and community empowerment. Patrick is also a member of the Liverpool Black History Research Group and brings a background in youth and community work, as well as immigration advice and advocacy. His latest book, The Golden Water and the Enchanted Forest, continues his dedication to storytelling that inspires imagination while carrying cultural depth and meaning.

Date: Wednesday 27th MayTime: 11-12:30Venue: The Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool, Merseyside L17 1APFree event

Against All Odds: Class and Resistance in the Arts

Against All Odds is a dynamic and thought-provoking event that delves into the intersections of class, creativity, and resilience within the arts. Bringing together a powerhouse panel of artists and writers – Joelle Taylor, Oliver James Lomax, and Bea Freeman with Roger Hill (host) – this discussion highlights the struggles and triumphs of working-class creatives who have fought to make their voices heard in an often exclusive cultural landscape.

The event is in partnership with the Poverty Research Advocacy Network (PRAN), co-founded by Natalia Atas, an academic from Liverpool Hope University and Vicki Dabrrowski,an academic from  Leeds Trinity University.

Joelle Taylor is a T.S Eliot Prize 2022 Prize winner for C+NTO & Othered Poems, Joelle Taylor is the author of 4 collections of poetry and a novel. C+NTO was adapted for theatre. A former UK SLAM Champion she founded the national youth poetry slams SLAMbassadors through the Poetry Society in 2001, remaining its Artistic Director until 2018. She is a co-curator and host of Out-Spoken Live, resident at the Southbank Centre, and an editor at Out-Spoken Press. Joelle is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and the 2022 Saboteur Spoken Word Artist of the Year.

Oliver James Lomax is a poet, educator, and trustee of the Working-Class Movement Library in Salford. His work champions cultural equality and amplifies working-class voices. A visiting poet with The Poetry Society and a Poetry By Heart Ambassador and Judge, he has written for film and TV and published four collections. In 2025 he won the Los Angeles International Poetry Film Prize and has been nominated for the Pushcart and Forward Prizes. His recent projects include Arts Council–funded poetry films on working-class history in Bolton, focused on raising class consciousness.

Bea Freeman is an award-winning Liverpool-based filmmaker, producer, and community organiser, whose documentaries including They Haven’t Done Nothing (1985) and Daughters of the Windrush highlight underrepresented voices and racial injustice. She received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2022 Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards and is an Honorary Fellow at Liverpool John Moores University.

Host: Roger Hill is a freelance director,  with over 50 years’ experience in performance, writing, broadcasting, and arts in education. He is best known for presenting BBC Radio Merseyside’s long-running alternative music programme and for his influential work in youth theatre. He began his career at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre before moving into Live Art performance, and community arts. He has also taught widely in higher education and continues to create new work, including films, storytelling projects, and autobiographical performances. He currently specializes in work with people with dementia and babies.

FAO Artists: we have a limited number of free tickets for artists living and working in the Liverpool City Region. If you are interested in applying for one of these tickets please email info@writingonthewall.org.uk.

Date: Wednesday 13th May
Time:6pm
Venue: The Black-E,1 Great George Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 5EW
Price: £5FAO Artists: we have a limited number of free tickets for artists living and working in the Liverpool City Region. If you are interested in applying for one of these tickets, please email info@writingonthewall.org.uk

“Sumud versus the Sword”: Solidarity, Direct Action, and Palestinian Liberation

Join Palestinian youth organisers, student activists, former political prisoners, and international human rights observers from the International Solidarity Movement (ISM), Youth Front For Palestine (YFFP), and Jordan Valley Solidarity (JVS) for a discussion on the realities of what has been described by human rights organisations, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Médecins Sans Frontières, as ‘genocide’ and ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Palestine. Speakers will share first-hand experiences of occupation, resistance, and organising in both the West Bank and UK, while exploring what sumud (steadfastness) and solidarity look like in practice. The event will examine the role of direct action, popular struggle, and Palestinian-led movements in confronting settler colonial violence and Israeli apartheid.

Individual names have been withheld for safety and security. Kindly note that select panelists will join online or via video from Palestine. Image by ActiveStills.

To read the first entry in the exclusive series, Breaking the Sword in Occupied Palestine, co-written by ISM, JVS, and YFFP organisers, visit Red Pepper Media.

The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) emerged in 2001 during the Second Intifada after Palestinian popular committees called for international civic protection. Palestinians lead ISM’s work through consultation with grassroots communities and activists. As a movement, ISM is consensus-based and anti-oppression. Tactically, it uses non-violent direct action to deter Israeli settler and military violence, as well as break the isolation of apartheid. Social media: @ismpalestine

The Youth Front For Palestine (YFFP) launched in Spring 2022 after being inspired by the Unity Intifada of 2021. It is Palestinian-led, strives to uphold the Thawabet, and mobilises youth across the UK to take action against the Zionist entity. Through mass demonstrations, BDS campaigns, and community education events, the YFFP aims to pressure the government and businesses to end their complicity in the Gaza genocide and subjugation of Palestine. Social media: @y.f.f.p

The Jordan Valley Solidarity (JVS) campaign is a network of Palestinian grassroots organisations from all over the Jordan Valley, along with their international supporters. JVS aims to protect Palestinian existence and the unique environment of the Jordan Valley by supporting shepherding and farming communities across the West Bank. This includes monitoring to prevent the abuse of Palestinian human rights by the Israeli occupation. Social media: @jordan.valley.solidarity

 
Date: Wednesday 20th May
Time: 7pm
Venue: The Caribbean Centre, 1 Amberley Street, Liverpool L8 1YJ
Free

A Radical Re-Imagining | Unity Heritage Project

This May and June, through a multi-faceted heritage project, we will celebrate our building’s unique history—first as a synagogue and later as a home for political and grassroots theatre.

Join us for a series of events that delve into our rich heritage and history.

This project has been made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. What’s on?

Exhibition |  A Radical Reimagining: the history of Merseyside Unity Theatre, 1937-1987Thursday 14 May to Sunday 28 June

Step into the past at this exhibition featuring archives from the Unity Theatre collection.

Mount Pleasant Campus Library, 29 Maryland St, Liverpool L1 9DE. Opening hours Monday to Friday 8:45am-7pm, Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.

Exhibition Launch EventThursday 21 May, 4:30-6:30pm

Join us for an evening of celebration to mark the official opening of the Merseyside Unity Theatre archive exhibition, with pop up performances!

Common/Wealth Theatre Company DO IT YOURSELF: Making Political TheatreFriday 29th May John Foster Drama Studio, Hope Street, L1 9BY

10-12.30: Workshop – Doing it Yourself

This workshop will offer a brief introduction to a range of practical exercises to enable you to work with others to create political theatre and make social change. The exercises will give you an insight into Common/Wealth, how we make original theatre about the here and now, and with people who may not have been part of any theatre-making process before.

Suitable for people new to theatre, experienced theatre makers, activists and community organisers.

Age guidance: 16+

2-3.30: Talk including Q&A

We’ll share our DIY origins, how we’ve made shows along the way and why making political theatre is critical and urgent now more than ever.

About Common/ Wealth Common/Wealth is a political theatre company based in Bradford and Cardiff, UK.  We make radical, high-quality documentary theatre and other public events that are site-specific, experimental and push form – relevant, artistic work addressing social injustices and concerns of our times, in partnership with the people who are most affected by inequity.

Archive Open DaysThursday 4 June – Friday 5 June, 10-12pm and 1-3pm

Have you ever visited an archive before? Join us at our open day sessions to view some of the original papers created and collected by Merseyside Unity Theatre. Explore rare scripts, programmes, photographs and songbooks, and meet the Project Archivist to learn more about how unique historical records are being preserved for future generations.

Special Collections and Archives, Mount Pleasant Campus Library, Liverpool John Moores University, 29 Maryland St, Liverpool L1 9DE

Political Songs Workshop| Sing, March, Protest with Patrick DineenSaturday 23rd May | Unity 2-5pm

Come along and experience the political songs that the Unity Theatre would have performed,

written and experienced over the years from the Spanish Civil War to the 1960s.

From rousing marching songs through to sophisticated cabaret. Listen and sing the wit and irony, dark humour of songs that speak of injustice and corruption.

Patrick Dineen is a composer and lyricist. He has written many scores for theatre and political

cabaret over the years and has had a long standing relationship with The Unity Theatre. His work as a composer includes tv, film, dance, cabaret and directing his own music-theatre shows.

LIV:DOX presents “Orwell: 2+2=5” (2026, dir. Raoul Peck)Saturday 23rd May | 6pm

“Orwell: 2 + 2 = 5” is a dense, urgent, and unapologetically blunt documentary that offers a chillingly relevant examination of totalitarianism’s enduring appeal and the societal conditions that enable it.

Screening presented by LIV:DOX (Liverpool Documentary Club), a project fueled by Imagine Futures CIC.

Breaking the Class Ceiling | A Live Exploration of Working Class Artistry Saturday 30th May | 3-4.30pm

Join us for an unflinching, live panel discussion that bridges the gap between Unity’s 1930s ‘Workers’ Theatre’ roots and Liverpool’s contemporary creative scene.

In an era where the ‘class ceiling’ remains a challenging barrier in the arts, how do creatives and radical makers keep momentum? We bring together five Liverpool working-class artists to discuss the politics of the stage, the power of heritage, and the future of working-class storytelling.

Following our headline panel discussion, we’re offering a space for working-class creatives to test new ideas, political rants, or works in progress.

Radical Scratch Open Mic 5-6.30pmYOUNG RADICAL THEATRE MAKERSUnity Theatre, 4,5 & 6th June6–6.30pm, 6.45–7.15pm  (& Sat matinee 1.15-1.45)

Step into the future with our Young Radical Theatre Makers as they take the stage in a bold, high-energy ensemble performance, this new generation of artists amplifies the voices of today to ask the urgent questions of tomorrow, a call to listen, to reflect, and to imagine what comes next.

Divided by the ensemble. Directed by Grace Gallagher and Mariana Pires

STAGE LEFTThursday 4th- Saturday 6th June | 7.30pm (& Sat matinee 2pm)

Created in-house at the Unity, this new performance dives into the theatre’s bold and rebellious past. From its roots as Merseyside Left Theatre in the 1930s to the vibrant creative home we inhabit today, A Radical Reimagining brings decades of radical storytelling roaring back to life.

Through dynamic performance, powerful voices, and striking moments from the past, we celebrate a legacy of theatre made for the people. Expect a journey through protest, passion, and creativity, a reminder that this stage has always belonged to those with something to say. 

WoWFEST 2026: Writers Bloc Sharing Event

 

Join Toxteth Writer’s Bloc for this special sharing event where local writers will be sharing work they have created based around this year’s Festival Theme – NEW WORLD DISORDER. Powerful new work that will ignite conversations and gather us together to celebrate the impact of words shared within a community. 

Any queries please contact helen@writingonthewall.org.uk

Date: Friday 15th MayTime: Toxteth LibraryDoors open 11.45am. Event runs from 12.00-13.00Free tickets

Writer’s Bloc is Writing on the Wall’s dedicated creative writing centre in Liverpool – a welcoming space where writers of all backgrounds can write, connect and grow together. 

Launched online during lockdown, The Writer’s Block moved to Toxteth Library on 7 June 2024 with acclaimed Liverpool screenwriter Tony Schumacher, creator of the award-winning BBC drama The Responder. The Writer’s Bloc sits alongside our wider creative programmes and anyone with a passion for writing can attend – whether you’re just starting out or already developing your craft. 

Sessions currently run fortnightly at Toxteth Library, Bootle Library and Birkenhead Central Library and are a mix of ‘time to write’ sessions, where you can come and work on your own writing alongside others and sessions hosted by experience writers across various genres. 

Writer’s Bloc is a vibrant community of writers and creative thinkers from across the Liverpool City Region. It’s flexible, friendly and supportive: a place where inspiration and encouragement go hand in hand. Find out how to get involved HERE

 

Liverpool European Festival

 

Three years on from Liverpool’s landmark hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest, the Liverpool European Festival (LEF) is returning for its fourth year with a vibrant programme of events across Liverpool throughout May and June 2026, with its most ambitious and expansive programme to date, with more than 40 events, across a wider geography, and with new institutional partnerships.

Organised and led by European communities from across the city, the festival encourages residents and visitors to explore the wonderful cultural diversity that defines Liverpool, through food, music, dance, language, visual art and workshops. This year we look forward to Italian bike rides, Swedish Midsummer celebrations, Ukrainian dance performances and a German Sommerfest. Most events are family friendly and free to attend. 

The 2026 festival will launch on Saturday 9th May at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church, one of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks, with a community celebration featuring European cultural stalls and a programme of live entertainment including dance and choirs. A European Parade will follow on Sunday 10th May, bringing the streets of Liverpool to life. Community-led events will take place throughout May and June, offering locals and visitors the chance to learn about European traditions, stories, and culture in the city.

Each event is organised and led by European communities themselves, offering authentic experiences for all. From Italian bike rides and Swedish Midsummer celebrations to Ukrainian dance, and German Sommerfest, almost all events are family friendly and there is something for everyone.

Festival Highlights 2026

  • Pre-festival Open Eye Gallery Exhibition: Opens 16th April 2026

  • Launch celebration at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church: Saturday 9th May

  • European Parade through Liverpool city centre: Sunday 10th May

  • Polish Heritage Day Family Picnic: Saturday 16th May

  • Ukrainian Community Centre Annual Concert: Sunday 17th May

  • Parade to celebrate Day of the Bulgarian Culture and the Slavic Alphabet: Sunday 24th May 

  • Global Liverpool, In Limbo Project & Black Europeans, A vital conversation about diversity, identity, and belonging: Saturday 6th June

All events are open to everyone. Full programme details and ticketing information are available on our portal, and more information about the history of the festival can be found on our website.

Portal: https://lep-portal.vercel.app/events

 

 

WoWFEST: A Reason to Sing – The Popular Song Movement of 70s Chile

Join internationally acclaimed artist Francisco Carrasco for a powerful and deeply personal exploration of Nueva Canción Chilena, Chile’s revolutionary popular song movement of the 1960s and 70s. 

Blending traditional folk forms with urgent, socially conscious lyrics, Nueva Canción became the soundtrack of resistance. Artists including Violeta Parra, Víctor Jara, Inti-Illimani and Quilapayún gave voice to workers, challenged injustice and helped shape the cultural spirit of Salvador Allende’s Popular Unity government. 

After the 1973 military coup, many musicians were silenced, imprisoned or forced into exile — transforming the movement into a global symbol of resistance and solidarity. 

Arriving in the UK as a child refugee in 1975, Francisco Carrasco brings this history vividly to life through storytelling, live music and archival material. He reflects on how these songs sustained displaced communities including his own family who performed at solidarity events across Britain. 

Part cultural history, part lived testimony, this event is an invitation to explore exile, identity and the enduring power of music in times of struggle. 

Francisco Carrasco MA FRSA is a Chilean-born international artist, storyteller, world musician and cultural activist. Exiled to the UK in 1975, he has dedicated his life to using art as a platform for dialogue and social change. 

Based in Liverpool since 1983, he is the founder and Creative Director of LUMA CREATIONS and has led major cultural initiatives including LA FERIA International Festival of Latin American Arts & Culture and the Merseyside International Street Festival. 

In 2025, he received the LCR Award for International Reach. His forthcoming poetry collection, Oceans of Exile, continues his exploration of displacement, resilience and belonging. 

Date: Tuesday 19th MayTime: 6.30pmVenue: Victoria Gallery and Museum: Ashton Street, Liverpool, L69 3DRTickets: £5

WoWFEST: Juno Dawson: Survival Show

 

Join #1 Sunday Times bestselling author Juno Dawson for a special online event celebrating the release of her explosive new YA novel, Survival Show.

Set inside the world’s most-watched – and most sinister – reality TV competition, Survival Show follows a teenage contestant who risks everything to expose the brutal regime behind the spectacle. In this live conversation, Juno will explore the themes driving the novel: fame and exploitation, poverty and power, media manipulation and the cost of visibility in a culture obsessed with performance.

Blending high-stakes dystopian drama with razor-sharp social commentary, the book reflects on a world where young women’s lives become content and entertainment masks control. Juno will discuss why dystopia feels so close to home, how reality TV mirrors political reality, and what it means to write boldly for young readers at a time of growing censorship and backlash.

As the author of global bestsellers including This Book Is Gay and Clean – works that have been both widely celebrated and repeatedly targeted in waves of LGBTQ+ book bans – Juno is able to bring insight and urgency to conversations about storytelling, representation and resistance.

Expect an incisive, politically charged discussion about culture, control and the power of fiction to challenge the systems shaping our lives.

Juno Dawson is a #1 Sunday Times bestselling novelist, screenwriter, journalist and columnist for Attitude magazine. Her books include the global bestsellers This Book Is Gay and Clean. She also writes for television and has multiple shows in development in both the UK and US.

Juno grew up in West Yorkshire, writing imaginary episodes of Doctor Who, before turning her talent to journalism, interviewing pop luminaries such as Steps and Atomic Kitten and writing a weekly serial in a Brighton newspaper. Her writing has appeared in Glamour, The Pool, Dazed and The Guardian, and she has appeared on Pointless Celebrities, BBC Woman’s Hour, ITV News, Channel 5 News, This Morning and Newsnight.

She lives in Brighton and is part of the queer cabaret collective Club Silencio. In 2014, she became a School & College Role Model for the charity Stonewall.

Date: Wednesday 20th MayTime: 7pmOnline eventTickets: £5