Museum of Science and Industry

A Venetian mask workshop and a special Italian-themed menu was part of a series of Italian events at MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) on 29 - 31 August, to celebrate the extension of their popular exhibition, Ancoats: Manchester's Little Italy.From Friday until Sunday the Museum turned into an Italian fiesta, with a variety of fun activities for the family and a chance to sample favourite Italian dishes such as risotto and pizza. Families were invited to get creative with pasta pictures, or use glitter and mosaics to make their own masterpiece inspired by great Italian landmarks, in the Italian Master Class workshop.

The event marks the extension of MOSI's exhibition Ancoats: Manchester's Little Italy, which is currently showing at the Museum's Community Exhibitions Gallery, in association with the Manchester Italian Association. The exhibition shows how Ancoats, in East Manchester, became a centre for Italian migration from the mid-nineteenth century and includes many historic photos and several original objects. There is a statue of the Madonna of the Rosary which is carried on the annual Whit Walk, an ice cream cart and a hydrometer.

Josie Sykes, community development officer at MOSI said:

"Manchester has a thriving Italian community, which was once centred on Ancoats. It's difficult to imagine it now, but the area had a really distinctive Italian feel, and traditional trades such as ice cream production and barrel piano making were based in this part of the city. We'll be celebrating Manchester's Italian connection with lots of family events and Italian themed food. You can find out about Ancoats' fascinating past, and take home your own Venetian mask or pasta picture as a memento!"

Lorraine Taurasi, president of the Manchester Italian Association said: "We're delighted that the exhibition on Ancoats has been extended at the Museum. Italian food and art is renowned throughout the world but many people don't realise that Manchester once had one of the largest Italian communities in Britain, and one of the last remaining Whit Walks.

"The Italian community is now integrated throughout the city but Ancoats is still the area where we start our annual Whit Walk, as St Michael's Church in Ancoats was, until recently, the spiritual home of the community."

Italians first started settling in Ancoats, just North of Manchester city centre, from the mid-1800s due to economic problems in Italy. The area soon adopted the nickname of 'Manchester's Little Italy'. Ancoats became famous for Italian specialities including production of ice cream, barrel pianos, mosaic and terrazzo tiling, and manufacture of scientific instruments.

In the 1960s Ancoats began to suffer the consequences of declining industry, and the community was relocated by Manchester City Council to other parts of the city. However the Manchester Italian Association continues to support the thriving Italian community in Manchester, and organises the annual Whit Walk.

Ancoats: Manchester's Little Italy runs until 25 January at MOSI, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester.

Manchester Italian Association exists entirely from donations. For more information please look up www.ancoatslittleitaly.com or call Sarah Withington on Tel: 07968 132145.

For more information or for library photos of Italian Ancoats please contact Sarah Roe Tel: 0161 606 0176 m: 07847 372647 or look up www.mosi.org.uk

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