IN PLACE OF WAR 20TH YEAR CELEBRATIONS
To celebrate the 20th year anniversary of In Place of War, we designed several activities to chart our journey from an AHRC-funded research project in 2004, to an independent international charity today. These activities were in conjunction with the University of Manchester's 200th year celebrations. The programme of artistic activities and events included: an exhibition, panel talks and performances at the University of Manchester, in an independent Manchester venue, and at a creative activist space in Somerset, and involved creative change-makers from In Place of War’s international network.
THE EXHIBITION
The In Place of War: Twenty Years Strong exhibition celebrated two decades of transforming communities through artistic creativity. Hosted at the Student Union at the University of Manchester, the exhibition chronicled the organisation's journey from a University of Manchester research project to an international charity. From the streets of Uganda to the mountains of Greenland, via South Africa, Colombia and the UK, the exhibition showcased specific projects and organisations from the change-maker network, and how music, theatre and multidisciplinary arts are breaking down barriers and fostering hope amid adversity. It was also an opportunity to show our strand of work in the Global North – with groundbreaking youth-led programmes in the UK and USA inspired by its international network of change-makers. It featured a rich array of case studies, photographs, text and videos, highlighting the work of some of In Place of War’s 130 change-maker organisations across 30 countries
20th YEAR PANEL TALK
The 20 Years of In Place of War panel explored the organisation’s evolution and impact over two decades. Moderated by Kim Rowell (ITN Productions & member of In Place of War’s Global Music Advisory Board), the panel featured: Professor James Thompson (Founder of In Place of War); Ruth Daniel (CEO & Artistic Director, In Place of War); Ed O’Brien (Radiohead & In Place of War Fellow); Selam Mengistu (Comedian & Chair of In Place of War’s Youth Advisory Board); and Tongai ‘Outspoke'n’ Makawa (Poet & Co-Founder & Senior Strategic Advisor of Magamba Network, Zimbabwe).
GRRRL PERFORMANCES
GRRRL ft OneDa Performance at University of Manchester: The powerful performance by GRRRL at the University of Manchester featured an exhilarating mix of global female artists, showcasing their music and stories of resilience and creativity. GRRRL is an exhilarating electronic music collaboration that amplifies the voices and visions of marginalised female artists. Brought together by In Place of War, GRRRL is directed by Brazil’s Laima Leyton and features an international powerhouse of influential talents. From Zimbabwe’s Rapper Queen AWA (African Women Arise) and Brazilian dancehall royalty Lei Di Dai, to UK/Bangladeshi vocalist Sohini Alam, and Caracas DJ/percussionist MABE. For the first time ever we brought GRRRL together with Manchester’s iconic rapper OneDa, for a cultural mega force of a collaboration to a sold-out audience.
In addition to the performance at the University, we wanted to increase visibility of the artists and make the most of having the international group together, so we organised an event at The Talleyrand in Levenshulme, Manchester, with GRRRL featuring OneDa headlining, as well as OneDa performing her own new materials in Manchester for the first time. We also involved local DJs Lil’ Minx and Manateur Hour, as well as Uruguay's Juan Chao.
THE FRONTLINE OF CHANGE PANEL TALK
The Frontline of Change: Women's Artistic Uprising panel featured remarkable female artists from GRRRL discussing their journeys in music and activism. Moderated by Kim Rowell, the panel included: MABE (Venezuelan DJ & Journalist); Sohini Alam (UK/Bangladesh Vocalist); AWA (Zimbabwe’s rapper queen); Lei Di Dai (Queen of Brazilian Dancehall); Laima Leyton (Brazilian artist & activist, and Musical Director of GRRRL); and OneDa (Manchester’s Iconic Rapper). The discussion covered topics such as creating music against oppression, the importance of female voices in the music industry, and the impact of their work on their communities.
The '20 Years of In Place of War' panel talk.
GRRRL ft OneDa performance.
A board from the In Place of War: Twenty Years Strong exhibition.
The Frontline of Change panel talk.
In Place of War: Twenty Years Strong exhibition view.
