The Embassy of Utopia, 2025: Our Eco-Futures Call is Open!

Does our world allow space for Utopias anymore? Does the word ‘utopia’ come tinged with a feeling of suspicion; what is this, some kind of cult? Is it wrong to be positive when the world is so drenched in the negative? Is the future so completely doomed that believing it could be better is delusional? Can we cultivate action from apathy? Can we grow activism from anxiety? Can we germinate hope from the horrible? Yes, I believe we bloody well can!

The Embassy of Utopia offers a space for a collective coming together for a day of positive thinking. Last year, the Embassy’s stage featured over 100 people sharing thoughts on how the future might be shaped into something more favourable. Our poets, storytellers, musicians, clowns, activists and artists last year focused on community, language, friendship, understanding, and harmony. This year, the Embassy wants more of the same, but we’re also looking to invite more greenery into the space. Our spotlight this year is on ‘eco-futures’, whatever that may mean to you.

Our call for speakers is very much open and, as ever, we’re looking for all manner of performances and speeches. We’ve already got a lot of poets, so we’re especially looking for storytellers, musicians, activists, academics, crafters, magicians, scientists, philosophers, charity leaders, gardeners, sentient plants, conservationists, rewilders, clowns, mime artists; everyone and anyone who can stand on our Central Library performance space for five minutes and express something on the Eco-Futures theme. The event is very relaxed, supportive, and low-pressure. Everyone gets five(ish) minutes and the audience can come and go as they please. The light that spills in from the library windows is gorgeous. Everyone who attends is in awe of what’s taking place. The atmosphere is warm, friendly, and energising. It really is entirely wonderful.

So, if that sounds appealing to you or someone you know, here’s the link to the Expression of Interest form. You have until the 30th April to fill out this form, but if you miss that deadline just send me a message on Instagram, or through the Contact form on my home page, and I’ll see if I can fit you in.

The Embassy of Utopia is open for one day only this year: Wednesday 4th June, 11am-7pm. We’ll also have performances from international guests including from Quebec City, Nanjing, and Tartu, and we’ll no doubt have a whole cavalcade of spirited and utopian Mancunians. So. Let us all gather, once again, and make the scenery greenery. See you there!