BLOOM – Special Evening Reception Celebrating the Friendship and Bonds that Unites Osaka and Manchester

Invitation only event

18:00 to 20:00 (registration opens at 17:30)

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, cordially invite you to an exclusive reception event hosted by Greater Manchester.

The event will feature the World Premiere of BLOOM, a stunning contemporary performance that honours Greater Manchester’s strong relationship with Osaka, drawing on a history of innovation and sharing that began in 1865. Commissioned by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, BLOOM is our love letter to Osaka, the Manchester of the East, from the people of Greater Manchester.

Informed by the past, inspired by the future, creative producers From The Other have brought together boundary-pushing artists for this performance, each embodying a Manchester that thrives on reinvention, creative risk, and the power of collaboration.  Composer and DJ AFRODEUTSCHE, dance collective Company Chameleon, and queer-led fashion brand Belladonis come together as its creators, working with a trio from the world-renowned Hallé orchestra.

Draft running order

18:00   Welcome Remarks

• Rt Hon Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
• Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, United Kingdom
• Carolyn Davidson, UK’s Commissioner General for Expo 2025, Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office
• Senior Official from Osaka City Government

18:20   Introducing BLOOM

18:25   BLOOM Artistic Performance

18:55   Networking Reception

20:00   Closing Remarks and Raffle of Manchester City FC Shirt