This exhibition at Manchester Poetry Library investigates one of Britain’s foremost but now largely forgotten Yiddish poets Avram Nachum Stencl (1897 – 1983). The exhibition coincides with the launch of a specially commissioned short film for the Poetry Library about Stencl (directed by Andy Delaney) and a radio documentary, which have been researched and produced by Dr Rachel Lichtenstein of Manchester Writing School.

Lichtenstein’s paternal grandparents were Polish Jewish émigrés, who like Stencl, settled in East London in the 1930s after escaping Nazi persecution. They were personal friends with the revered Yiddish poet, who had an international reputation at that time. Her grandparents regularly attended Stencl’s Literarische Shabbes Nokhmitogs (Sabbath literary afternoon meetings). Hearing childhood stories about Stencl and his circle inspired Lichtenstein to find out more about the life of this extraordinary poet and his literary Yiddish circle. This exhibition examines Stencl’s amazing life story, his unique contribution to the cannon of Yiddish literature and his connection to Manchester.

No need to book, just drop in.