Didsbury Arts Festival – Hamsaz Ensemble, Second Breath Screening and Q&A
Sat 04 Jul
|St Nicholas Church
An uplifting evening of Iranian folk music, documentary film and conversation exploring culture, identity, resilience and hope.
Time & Location
04 Jul 2026, 19:30 – 21:30
St Nicholas Church, Kingsway, Manchester M19 1PL, UK
About the event
An uplifting evening of Iranian folk music and documentary film exploring culture, identity and contemporary realities.
Hamsaz Ensemble presents a powerful live performance inspired by Persian musical traditions and stories of resilience, adaptation, freedom and hope. Drawing on the experiences of the Iranian diaspora, the ensemble creates an engaging musical journey that celebrates cultural heritage while connecting with contemporary audiences.
Since their appearance at Didsbury Arts Festival 2023, Hamsaz Ensemble has performed at major venues and festivals including Manchester International Festival, Band on the Wall, the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) and Migration Matters Festival in Sheffield.
The evening will also feature a special Manchester screening of Second Breath (2024), an acclaimed documentary by Iranian filmmaker Mojgan Ilanlou. The film offers a moving insight into the lives, experiences and challenges faced by women in Iran, exploring themes of resilience, identity and freedom.
Following the screening, audiences will have the opportunity…