International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
History and Significance
The night of 22 to 23 August 1791, in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) saw the beginning of the uprising that would play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.
Purpose and Goals
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. In accordance with the goals of the intercultural project “The Slave Route”, it should offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy, and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.
UNESCO’s Initiative
The Director-General of UNESCO invites the Ministers of Culture of all Member States to organize events every year on that date, involving the entire population of their country and in particular young people, educators, artists and intellectuals.
International Celebrations
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was first celebrated in a number of countries, in particular in Haiti (23 August 1998) and Goree in Senegal (23 August 1999). Cultural events and debates too were organized. The year 2001 saw the participation of the Mulhouse Textile Museum in France in the form of a workshop for fabrics called “Indiennes de Traite” (a type of calico) which served as currency for the exchange of slaves in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE SLAVE TRADE AND ITS ABOLITION, 23RD OF AUGUST
Conclusion
The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is a significant initiative that aims to raise awareness about the tragic history of the slave trade and its impact on communities around the world. It is an opportunity for people to come together and reflect on the past, while also working towards a more just and equitable future.
FAQs
Q: What is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition?
A: It is an international day that aims to raise awareness about the tragic history of the slave trade and its impact on communities around the world.
Q: When is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition celebrated?
A: It is celebrated every year on August 23rd.
Q: What is the purpose of the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition?
A: The purpose is to offer an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of the slave trade, and for an analysis of the interactions to which it has given rise between Africa, Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean.