Gagarin in Manchester

Gurbir Singh, a Manchester based blogger and space historian, author of Yuri Gagarin in London and Manchester, will talk about a visit to Manchester by the world's first spaceman Yuri Gagarin on 12th July 1961. Signed copies of the book will be available on the day. The event will be held at the City Library on Deansgate (M3 3EW) at 6pm.

An hour long talk, followed by questions, will cover a little about Gagarin's background, why he came to Manchester and where in Manchester he visited. It will also include testimonies from many that personally saw and met him and the wider social impact of his visit which took place midst the tension of the cold war. See footage of Gagarin's visit at the North West Film Archive's website.

Gurbir will also provide an update on the campaign to make Manchester the permanent home of a statue Yuri Gagarin in 2012. More at www.astrotalkuk.org