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Students from the UK, and countries in Europe, Africa and the Caribbean
will meet in Bristol at St George Community College for the first
UK-based youth festival exploring the Transatlantic Slave Trade
and its legacy from 29 November to 2 December.
Organised by Anti-Slavery International and St George Community
College, Commemorate and Celebrate is part of the
world-wide education project, Breaking the Silence, developed
by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO) on this subject. The festival brings together students
aged 14 to 16 from the three regions.
Launched in 1988 in 100 UNESCO Associated Schools around the world
and funded by the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation
(NORAD), the project aims to forge new educational, cultural and
social links between schools in Africa, the Americas/Caribbean and
Europe.
"Through education, the memory of the slave trade was erased,"
explains Doudou Diène, Director of Intercultural Projects
and Pluralism at UNESCO. "Through education, it can be restored
again."
Situated in the city of Bristol, whose wealth was built on the
Transatlantic Slave Trade, the festival will enable students and
teachers to explore the harsh historical realities of the 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.
"Throughout history, the arts have allowed people to express
themselves, and often it is through this expression we can get an
inner understanding of them. As we look at global diversity and
as countries disintegrate into warfare and poverty, it is good to
know that 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.
Lord Mayor of Bristol, Graham Robertson, OBE, will officially
open a public commemorative event on 2 December, the UN's annual
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. There will be a
traditional African ceremony performed as an act of remembrance
and participants will present and exhibit the artwork they have
created. A Caribbean buffet will be provided for all, followed by
a live African musical celebration.
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