About this Event
Writing on the Wall is excited to announce a special event to launch our year-long programme of activity cataloguing, sharing and creatively interpreting WoW's archive.
The title Know Your History? is intended as a provocation – how can we recognise and remember the struggles and achievements of the diverse communities that have shaped Liverpool? What role do archives, literature and storytelling play in ensuring that these histories are not lost?
We will be joined by Gary Younge, an award-winning author, broadcaster and a Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester. Formerly editor-at-large at The Guardian, he has written seven books, most recently Pigeonholed: Creative Freedom as an Act of Resistance (Faber, 2025). He will reflect on his work with Writing on the Wall over the past 25 years, considering how WoW's history can shine a light on changes in our broader social and political landscape and why it remains so important to understand and document these histories.
We'll also have performances from artists in WoW's creative community and an exhibition of items from our archive.
If you've been a part of WoW's history over the past 25 years, or are passionate about archiving and local history, we would love you to join us – come and see archive materials on display and share your knowledge of WoW to help uncover, preserve and celebrate the often-overlooked heritage of Liverpool’s diverse communities.
Following on from the launch event there will be several opportunities to engage in the creation and celebration of WoW's archive, including a free education and training programme, archival volunteering, and creative commissions. An expression of interest form for these activities can be found here.
25 Years of Creating Change Through the Power of the Word is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Agenda
🕑: 07:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Welcome drinks and exhibition viewing
Info: Writing on the Wall welcome you to Toxteth Library, grab a drink and some food and check out the exhibition where we launch our latest Creative Heritage project, looking back on our own history over 25 years.
🕑: 07:50 PM
Artist Performance
🕑: 08:00 PM
Speeches including keynote from Gary Younge
Info: Gary Younge will reflect on his work with Writing on the Wall over the past 25 years, considering how WoW's history can shine a light on changes in our broader social and political landscape and why it remains so important to understand and document these histories.
Sign up to our programme
Info: Before you head home, make sure that you tell us about how you've been involved with WoW over the years and how you can help us with the programme over the next 12 months. We'll have information about our participation programme which will be open for sign ups.
Event venue & nearby stays
Toxteth Library, Windsor Street, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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