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The first UK-based youth festival exploring the Transatlantic Slave
Trade and its legacy will be held in Bristol at St George Community
College from 29 November to 2 December.
Organised by Anti-Slavery International and St George Community
College as part of Breaking the Silence, a world-wide education
project organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on this subject, the festival
brings together students aged 14 to16 from the UK, and various countries
in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean.
The festival will enable students and teachers to explore the
harsh historical realities of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, as
well as the positive contributions and influences of the African
diaspora.
"To many, slavery conjures images of Africans being shipped to
the Americas, but its impact is ignored. It produced immense wealth
for Britain and Europe in general and its lasting legacy must be
addressed," Anti-Slavery Director, Mike Dottridge, said.
African and Caribbean artists based in the UK will work with the
students exploring issues of culture, roots and heritage. Activities
will include creative arts workshops, music and dance performances
and a student-guided slave trail around Bristol.
"Through the arts we can get an inner understanding of people.
As we look at global diversity, it is good to know there are bodies
which recognise the need to bring together youngsters from Europe
and beyond, as it is they whom we have to help through education
to come to terms with the past and shape the world of tomorrow",
Alex Pascall, participating Cultural Strategist, said.
On 2 December, the UN's annual International Day for the Abolition
of Slavery, participants will present and display their artwork
in an exhibition. There will also be a traditional African ceremony
performed as an act of remembrance, followed by a Caribbean buffet
and an African musical celebration.
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