International Slavery Remembrance Day @ Maritime Museum

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Fri 23 Aug 2013

On the 23rd August 1791, one of the most important events in Africa's history took place; it was the start of the Haitian Revolution. The slave uprising in the in the French colony of Saint-Domingue had monumental impact. It may have taken thirteen years, but by the 1st January 1804, Haiti became an independent country, and brought an abolition to slavery.

In honour of this day, the United Nations has designated the 23rd August as the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. They encourage organisations to observe this day with special events that will educate the public and give us all a chance to reflect on the tragedy and consequences of the slave trade.

As part of their involvement, the Maritime Museum in Greenwich is holding a series of free talks, tours and workshops. These include:

Talks

The New Union Club
12.30pm

Suitable for those 16 and over, the art historian, Dr Temi Odumosu, will discuss one of the most racist paintings from the nineteenth century. The New Union Club portrays a dinner party full of drunken black slaves.

Black Composers in the Period of Enslavement
2pm

This talk by composer, Dominique LeGendre, looks at the influences of black composers such as Ignatius Sancho, during the period of enslavement.

Tours

Life of Ignatius Sancho
12pm & 3pm

A family tour suitable for children ten and over. Rich Sylvester will take you on a journey through the early life of black composer, Ignatius Sancho. You will learn about the importance of names, and children will be invited to leave their names in remembrance.

Walk to St. Alfege Church
2pm

After meeting at the entrance the the museum, you will be led to St. Alfege Church, where you will learn about the impact that the slave trade had on Greenwich families.

Alternative Gallery Tour
12.30pm

Learn about slavery and trade on an journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Using an interactive tablet, you will be guided through the period between the seventeenth and nineteenth century.

Tracing History
11.30am

Suitable for children ten and over, the historian, S. I. Martin will take you on a tour of the museum's archive. You'll learn the facts about transatlantic slavery by looking through rare manuscripts, and uncover the truth about slaves' struggle for freedom.

Workshops

Youth Advisory Group Textile Workshop
11.30am & 2pm

Adinkra symbols are visual symbols created by theAkan people of Ghana; they are both a form of communication and decoration. In this workshop, you will be making prints with these symbols.

Songs of Freedom
1pm & 3.30

In a singing workshop for all ages, enjoy find out how songs were a means of motivation, positive thinking, and resistance against slavery.

What's in a Name?
11am & 1pm

Discover the significance of names: their meaning, origin, and how importance your name is to you.

Finally, to finish things off, there will be a closing ceremony at 4.15pm by the Water Gates of the River Thames. It will be led by broadcaster, Burt Caesar, and everyone is invited to scattered rose petals in silent commemoration.

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#august
!date 23/08/2013 -- 23/08/2013
%wnlondon