Name: Pete Kalu Cultureword Farewell Party
Start: 2026-03-19T18:00:00+00:00
Location: Chuck Gallery, 166 Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 0AF

My Final (Cultureword) Curtain
Back in the early 90’s, I began at Cultureword as the Black & Asian Writing Development Worker. It was a Job Creation Scheme post, and expected to last two years. Here I am 30 years+ later! It’s been a ride. There have been moments of intense joy, and utter misery. And the greatest thing was, I was never alone. From the day I joined till right now, I’ve been supported by a wonderful body of people – too many to name, and if you are receiving this, you are one of them – who have held space for me, fought with me, celebrated with me and picked me off the floor when I was overwhelmed. You know who you are. I could never have done it without you. I began with a youthful energy, and steady will. The will is undiminished, but I’ve reached a point where the energy is no longer bottomless. Meanwhile, all those books I had meant to write, all those books I had meant to read, beckon me with greater urgency.
My Farewell Party will be on the 19th March at Chuck Gallery, 166 Plymouth Grove, Longsight, M13 0AF. It starts at 6pm. There will be food, music, an interview with Muli Amaye on ‘Becoming a writer – what it takes?’ in which I will deliver some tips based on my experience guidng writers here at Cultureword, and Muli will talk about her new ‘Black Writers Toolbox’ book. There will be a chance to say nice things about me on an open mic, possibly poetry, and of course just time to talk to one another.