Holocaust Memorial Day – Songs of Arrival

Henry Watson Music Library, Manchester Central Library

As part of Holocaust Memorial Day, Manchester Jewish Museum’s song-writing group will present an initial performance of songs inspired by the moving stories of Jewish Refugees arriving in Cheetham in the 1930s and 1940s. We have been working with baritone singer Peter Brathwaite (originally from Cheetham) Israeli opera composer Na’ama Zisser and community composer and saxophonist Joe Steele for the past 6 months to bring to life the real life stories within our oral history collection, highlighting the experience of those arriving in Cheetham having fled their home countries.

You will be able to hear these songs in different areas of the Henry Watson Music Library on the first floor of Manchester Central Library, alongside some objects brought to Manchester by Jewish refugees. This musical installation will feature songs composed by the museum’s song-writing group, ESOL students from Abraham Moss Adult Learning Centre and the poignant song ‘Lovesick’ by Na’ama Zisser performed by Peter Brathwaite. Come and experience a different way to honour the sacrifices made and the building of new lives in Cheetham.

The event is free and you are welcome to drop in from 4pm-5pm. A longer version of this work, featuring new songs by Na’ama Zisser will be performed as part of our Festival of Belonging in March.