Emancipatiion Day list of activities

EMANCIPATION DAY is August 1st celebrated as a public holiday across St.Vincent & the Grenadines. It marks ??? years since chattel slavery was abolished in our nation and the Ministry of Culture has organized a Month of activities which begin today Friday 31, August.

This year’s activities are being held under the theme “Embracing our Past; Forging into the Future” with a subtheme, “Celebrate Freedom; Honour Our Ancestors.”

The Department of Culture says it is placing emphasis on two of its eight core values – Inclusion and Collaboration, guiding principles which underscore the Department’s commitment to ensuring that all members of society are represented in cultural development.

The celebrations officially begin with the opening of the “History, Heritage and Memory: Garifuna Prisoners of War” Exhibition and Book Launch at the UWI Global Campus from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Emancipation community spirit continues with the much anticipated Diamond Community Wake from 10:00 tonight.

The highlight of the celebrations will be on Saturday August 1st, Emancipation Day , featuring the Official Launch of Emancipation Month, a grand Parade, Cultural Showcase and Community Fair at Independence Park from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The cultural parade will travel from Heritage Square to Independence Park, with participants assembling from 3:00 p.m to which the the public is encouraged to attend in African attire as recognition of our Africanness as we celebrate freedom and cultural identity.

The month’s programme includes a vatiety of activites including CPL Cricket, drumming workshops, tablemat weaving, and a Food and Rhythms Fest at the Carnegie Building (Old LibraryYard) (Carnegie Building) 10:00 a.m.

The full programme follows:- Sunday August 2nd Soca Relations Peace Memorial Hall 7:00 p.m.

-Monday August 3rd St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” -August 3rd – 14th Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tablemat Weaving August 3rd – 7th Kingstown Anglican School 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Drumming Workshop Frenches Craft Centre 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tuesday August 4th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Drumming Workshop Frenches Craft Centre 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Tablemat Weaving Kingstown Anglican School 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Wednesday August 5th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Tablemat Weaving: Kingstown Anglican School 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Thursday August 6th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tablemat Weaving: Kingstown Anglican School 1:00

p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday August 7th :St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung

Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Food and Rhythms Old LibraryYard (Carnegie Building) 10:00 a.m. Tablemat Weaving Kingstown Anglican School 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Arnos Vale Stadium 7:00 p.m. Saturday August 8__ Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Arnos Vale Stadium 7:00 p.m. Sunday August 9__ Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Arnos Vale Stadium 7:00 p.m.

Monday August 10th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Inter-American Week of Indigenous Peoples August 10th – 14th Tuesday August 11th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

16th KCCU National Dance Festival Launch : Methodist Church Hall 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday August 12th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Thursday August 13th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Friday August 14th St George’s Cathedral (VBS) “NurturingYoung Minds Through Their Talents” Bishop’s College Kingstown 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Saturday August 15th Climate Change Symposium: Rising Above the icane and Volcanic Hurricane and Volcanic Eruption SVG UWI Global Campus 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday August 18__ Oscar Allen Memorial Emancipation Lecture UWI Global Campus 6:30 p.m.

Friday August 21st Dance, Music & Poetry Heritage Square 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Saturday August 22nd Ital Fest Arnos Vale Playing Field 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Why Didn’t I Get Married?

Russell’s Auditorium 7:00 p.m. Sunday August 23rd Why Didn’t I Get Married?

Russell’s Auditorium 6:00 p.m. Friday August 28th Storytelling & Games Evening Kingstown Public Library Yard 2:00 p.m. The Ministry encourages communities, schools, cultural practitioners, youth organisations and families to actively participate in the scheduled activities throughout August. Emancipation Month provides an opportunity not only to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices of our ancestors, but also to celebrate the creativity, diversity and resilience that continue to shape Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

For additional information on the programme of activities, members of the public are encouraged to contact the Department of Culture at 4512180.