Celebrating our people: ‘Bicentenary Way’ installation begins

22 Apr 2024

A first look at ‘Bicentenary Way’ - our commemorative, legacy installation featuring our people from across the decades, as it starts to be laid in Brunswick Park.

Some of you may recall back in September 2023 we asked for your nominations of people from across our University’s history, both past and present, to feature on a special bicentenary installation, that would be laid on campus. We are now delighted to confirm that installation will be known as Bicentenary Way and be laid along Brunswick Park, with installation beginning on Wednesday, 24 April.

The installation will feature hexagonal stones laid in clusters, with each recognising key figures and groups associated with the University who have made an inspirational contribution to the life of the University and to society more generally. They include our Nobel laureates and other pioneers of their fields, those who drove social progress by breaking boundaries, distinguished alumni and our founding institutions.

There will be building work taking place across Brunswick Park from 24 April until mid-May, as detailed in this article, with fencing in place around where the work is happening.

Staff and students on campus can of course start to have an early peek of the feature and the people and groups included within it as the work completes, however; Bicentenary Way will have a formal opening on Thursday, 6 June 2024 as part of the launch of our flagship bicentenary festival, Universally Manchester. On the same day, an online feature of Bicentenary Way will launch with biographies on the bicentenary website, showcasing each of the people and groups included.

This is just the beginning for Bicentenary Way. As the University’s third century unfolds, more people, groups and their stories will be added, ensuring our greatest asset – our people – continue to be celebrated.