Saint Lucia marks UNESCO International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition

Saint Lucia: As the celebrations for Emancipation continue, Saint Lucia recently observed the UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition.

According to the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization, August 23, 1791, saw the beginning of an uprising that played a crucial abolition role in the transatlantic slave trade. Because of this, the observance is commemorated on August 23 annually.

Earl Bousquet will lead the panel discussion in recognition of the observance featured historian, author, and poet Dr Morgan Dalphinis. The dialogue was focused on his publication titled “History and Language in Saint Lucia: 1654 to 1915.”

“As far as the African element in our history, most of our histories begin straight in the Caribbean, but we need to look at ancient African history first before we come to the Caribbean. In the past 3.3 million years ago, Africans created language, the idea of family and more than that, the capacity to think; all of those were created by Africans for the rest of humanity,” he outlined.

Saint Lucia will acknowledge Emancipation this year with a month of activities. Still to come on the Emancipation calendar is the Grande La Wòz celebration, scheduled for Tuesday, August 30.

As per the schedule, the event will start with a celebratory mass at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Cathedral) from 9:30 am, followed by a street parade, and culminate with a Gwan Fèt from 1:30 pm at William Peter Boulevard and Constitution Park. Around eight (8) groups will present in honour of the La Wòz tradition, while local chefs will demonstrate the preparation of traditional La Wòz dishes.