We are proud to invite John Potter to deliver a talk on his new book Christmas Carols
Music Library Thursday 3rd December 2026 2pm-3pm
Join us for the afternoon as John Potter guides us through the development of this unique tradition. Carols, originating as secular delights of the medieval and Tudor court and chapel, were brought by the Victorians to a new urban audience. Priests, poets, and composers have rearranged ancient songs and created new ones ever since, incorporating European carols into the evolving English tradition.
Join Brave Words as they lead you on a sensory storytelling adventure; using accessible, multi-sensory drama & storytelling techniques and music to explore a well loved children's book! You will be guided through a story of sound, texture, light and sensory exploration; experiencing new, creative worlds together with your child.
Babies and toddlers welcome!
Join Elnaz Yazdani for some creative festive embroidery embellishments. Work on an embellished sample or upcycle onto a jumper or item of knitwear.
Elnaz Yazdani is an embroidery artist, gardener and educator based in Yorkshire. Elnaz is dedicated to sharing her textile skills and promoting the importance of embroidery as an art form for the future and for community wellbeing.
In 2025 Elnaz was awarded a Master of Arts by Research in recognition of a programme of work entitled ‘Rethinking Embroidery: Connecting, Embellishing and Transforming Communities Through Embroidery.
- Please bring in a clean jumper to embellish if you wish to upcycle.
- All other materials and refreshments are included.
- Age: 11+
Discover the beauty of traditional Mongolian writing, learn some everyday expressions, and explore how language connects with music, dance, storytelling and cultural heritage.
Leeds Languages Festival Special
Extending our lunch time community hour we follow Echoes of the Steppe: to further discover Mongolian Language, Music, Dance and the Stories of the Steppe Leeds City Library
Join us for an afternoon celebrating Mongolian music, dance and living cultural heritage!
Presented in four chapters — Origins, Home, Celebration and Friendship — this special event takes audiences on a journey through the stories, sounds and traditions of Mongolian communities.
"This event is part of Leeds City of Languages Festival and is delivered in collaboration with Leeds Libraries."
What happens when languages travel, meet and change? Drawing on her own experience of growing up speaking Punjabi in Yorkshire, Kashmir Kaur explores Punjabi as a diasporic language across places, generations and popular culture. Through maps, personal stories, Punjabi words, Gurmukhi and music - from bhangra and British Asian fusion to Panjabi MC, Diljit Dosanjh and contemporary global collaborations - we’ll follow some of the ways Punjabi travels and changes across different contexts. But if there is no single English and no single Punjabi, can there really be a single ‘Panglish’? And who decides what counts as ‘good’ or ‘proper’ language? Come and try some Punjabi, experiment with writing your name in Gurmukhi, listen for linguistic and musical mixing and think about the words and ways of speaking that you carry with you. No knowledge of Punjabi is required.
This workshop invites participants to write creatively in any language they wish in a relaxed, guided environment. We will be responding to creative writing prompts about climate breakdown, working to consider the many languages - of feeling, of ecology, of time, and of justice - that we are navigating together when we try to communicate what is happening. Participants will be led through a series of activities to respond creatively, in discussion and on the page, with the opportunity to share work in a digital pamphlet emerging from the session.
