Big Ben Lands In Manchester For International Arts Festival

A replica of big ben that has been made to look like it has crash landed on its side in Manchester is among the sights that have sprung up at the start of the city’s international arts festival.

The 42m (138ft) sculpture in Piccadilly gardens has been created by argentine artist Marta Minujin and is covered in 12,000 politically-themed books.

It is “in some ways a response to the tussles and battles between Manchester and London, north and south, over the last year”, Manchester international festival director john McGrath said.

The festival takes place every other year – although this year, because of the pandemic, the range of artists who have made it to Manchester in person is less international than usual.