Emancipation Month to see new events

The line up of events to commemorate Emancipation Month sees a number of new additions to the calendar this year.

At a press conference held by the Ministry of Culture on Monday, culture minister Rene Baptiste announced the inclusion of breadfruit festivals in North and South Leeward, as part of the activities to mark emancipation from slavery.{{more}}

Apart from Wednesday’s street fair which had to be postponed because of persistent rain, the month of activities also includes breadfruit festivals in Park Hill on Monday, August 19, in Marriaqua on Sunday, August 26 and Kingstown on Friday, August 31.

The North Leeward arm of the festival is scheduled for August 25 and South Leeward on August 11 and 12.

The South Leeward event will also feature a teen breadfruit cultural show, an Emancipation public speaking competition and a queen show.

Throughout the month, the department of libraries in collaboration with the National Trust will host an exhibition at the old public library, while NBC Radio will broadcast a daily quiz, and a series of plays written by Bobby Fraser: ‘Leroy’, ‘Chatoyer’ and ‘Nelli Ebo’ will be aired.

The minister also added that as the month progresses, more events will be added to the calendar.

Emancipation Month, which is in its sixth year, is being celebrated under the theme ‘Understanding Our Past, Shaping Our Future’. (JJ)