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 worldwide 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.