Things didn't quite go to plan at a kite festival held at Platt Fields Park when a group of 15 men began 'arguing' and 'shouting' at each other. A kite display that was set to to take place at the event yesterday (August 20) didn't go ahead after an argument broke out and festival goers were asked to go home.
Organisers of the event, Manchester International Festival (MIF) say the display was not cancelled but did not go ahead because the event 'overran' for a number of reasons. MEN journalist, Ethan Davies, who was at the event spoke about the fracas that broke out on what was a fun filled day of music, food and poetry.
He said an argument between a group of men ensued after a festival goer 'took control' of the microphone and PA system and started 'shouting in Farsi', ending his tirade with with the word 'Afghanistan' shouted loudly.
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He said: "Initially it seems like people were with this man but after a minute or so more of this, people started shouting at him. So that then lead to an argument between around 15 men, there was some pushing and pointing at each other like you’d see when footballers have a fight on the pitch.
"After that, someone with a handheld microphone then told people to get back on the coaches and loads of people left. We were supposed to have a kite flying display but that was cancelled."
A spokesperson for MIF said: "Hundreds of people turned out for the community day of kite flying, music and poetry at Platt Fields today as part of Fly With Me , a national event organised by Good Chance Theatre which took place across 16 locations in the UK and Europe celebrating Afghan culture one year on from the fall of the country to the Taliban.
"Unfortunately for a number of reasons the event overran so had to finish before the final planned display.
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