Emancipation Month launched

Since its abolition in British colonies in 1838, slavery has been a topic of great contention. Even greater has been that of emancipation. For decades, countries with high populations of those of African descent have celebrated Emancipation in the month of August – the same month slavery was abolished SVG being no exception, the Ministry of Culture held a press conference on Monday, July 28th, to “…launch the Emancipation Month celebrations and provide the media with details on the expected activities.”.{{more}}

Originally designated to be the first Monday in August, Emancipation is now celebrated on August 1st in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Ministry of Culture is promoting an exciting and vibrant list of activities that will run from the end of July until the beginning of September. To kick things off, an Emancipation Summer Camp will be held at the Kingstown Market from July 28 – August 22nd, whilst the Diamonites will be holding a midnight vigil on July 31st.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture on August 1st, there will be an Emancipation Rally in Heritage Square. Throughout the month, University of the West Indies (UWI) students will be hosting a series of ‘Behold’ Lectures at the Peace Memorial Hall on August 7, 14, 21 & 28. Not to be outdone, the African Heritage Foundation will also play host to a number of events, namely: Lectures at the UWI centre and Peace Memorial Hall on August 5 and September 5, respectively; a Conscious Party on August 30; African Women’s Day celebratory dinner on August 9 and a Movie Night on August 23.

The activities will continue with a series of ‘Food Focus’ events throughout the island: Fish – Barrouallie, August 8, Yam – North Leeward, August 10, Coconut – Park Hill, August 17, Arrowroot – Georgetown, August 24 and Breadfruit – Largo Heights, August 31.

There will be an ‘Inspired’ public speaking competition on August 16; then, in celebration of Marcus Garvey’s birthday (August 17), there will be a seminar titled ‘Energy and Emancipation’ on August 19.

From August 22 – 31, a delegation will represent SVG at Carifesta, being held in Guyana. Rasta Community Kids Day will take place on August 23 at the Vinsave Yard, and throughout the month the Naked Roots group will be performing drum calls in various regions of the island.

Minister of Culture Renée Baptiste took the opportunity to commend the African Heritage Foundation (AHF) on maintaining and strengthening its relationship with the Ministry. “I am pleased at the amount of commitment that I’ve seen from the AHF and we continue to give them support…” Baptiste, in her remarks, also spoke of the importance of Heritage and Emancipation to Vincentians at home and in the Diaspora, and the ways in which these celebratory activities help us to grow within our culture and to pass on our history to the younger generation. “It gives me so much pleasure to present this programme…” she beamed.

Also giving remarks were Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, Consultant in the Ministry of Culture, and Anthony Theobalds, Head of the Department of Culture. They both took the opportunity to invite the public to participate in the events and to encourage other groups to submit their activities to the Ministry. (JSV)