Free. Normal opening hours.
Weird As Folk invites you to wander through the mysteries of our Folklore collection and reimagine what folklore means to you. We have ventured across the Northwest, delved deep into the cloughs and unearthed Folk treasures. From centuries-old boots found concealed in chimneys, to witch-bottles and dastardly boggarts. We invite you to explore the hidden histories displayed within the volumes from our Folklore collection, and meander through our folk-forest, where you can contribute your own tall tales written down on a folk-leaf or two.
Our historic collection includes approximately 100 books of English folklore. These stories deepen our understanding of the people, purpose and place in which we live. They describe and reflect the rituals and traditions practised across the country and can help us understand the history behind these practices.
It is not always easy to find these stories. Folklore is an oral tradition. Tales and beliefs are passed down generations but not always written in books. Myths and legends have different names in different regions; a ‘hob’ in the Midlands might be a ‘bogle’ in Scotland or a ‘boggart’ in Lancashire.
Weird As Folk is forged from the desire to spark the curiosity and contribution of audiences everywhere. Folklore is made by us all:, it is what we do, make, and say everyday. We invite you to contribute your own stories, folk sayings, and responses to the collection and exhibition.
Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the incredible support and assistance given by Critical Friends Alison Cooper, Anna F Smith, Ceri Houlbrook, Emerson Richards-Hoppe, Holly Elsdon, John Billingsley and creative collaborators including Lucy Wright, Ryan Peter French, Louis Glazzard, Lucy Rose, Jasmine Gardner and the Qilin Collective (Chimera), Nasha Cash - Happening in MCR, Sumayyah Eldin - Creative Society Manchester, and our partners at The Centre of Folklore in Todmorden. Special thanks to our Portico Library volunteers who have given so much of their time and support to coproduce this exhibition.
