“I think working people now are really struggling”: Working Class Movement Library holds printmaking workshop

As part of their ‘Engels Week’ celebrations, the Working Class Movement Library (WCML) has held a printmaking workshops for working class people to learn more about their history.

The event has differed slightly this year as new activities have been introduced to encourage people from working-class backgrounds to learn more about their history.

The new activities included a live music performance, Engels-themed walks, and a Printmaking Workshop.

Artist Lucy Morris, who hosted the workshop, emphasised the significance of printmaking in working-class history. She said: “It was not only a way that working-class people could get information, but also illiterate people could understand what was going on without reading
anything.

“It just opened up information and education.”

Ms Morris went on to say how important working-class history is in the modern day. She followed: “Most history is being documented by people that are upper-class or in power, and it’s a very one-sided view of history.

“There’s a lot more to it and it’s more relatable for working-class people and it gives them a sense of heritage which is so important. They’re not represented in country houses, they’re not represented in museums. So, it’s important that they know they’ve got an important heritage.”

‘Engels Week’ is held yearly by the WCML to celebrate the life of Friedrich Engels. Born in modern day Germany, Engels spent much of his life in Salford. He wrote his book ‘The Conditions of the Working Class in England’ (1845) after spending time in the Manchester and Salford slums.

Belinda Scarlett, library manager at the WCML, said: “If we want to really understand how people are living in Salford now we need to understand what Engels was saying.

“I think working people now are really struggling, and we’re entering a new period of austerity.

“There is a history to that and it’s not a new thing. So, I think that’s why it’s important that it’s open for a wider audience, and it’s not just an academic audience that we’re appealing to.”

‘Engel’s Week’ will continue on 10th December with another walk held by Dr. Morag Rose. More information can be found on the library’s website here.