Barbados’ Season of Emancipation began April 13th, launching a period of remembrance of the suffering of slavery and celebrating the brave endurance & ultimate triumph of our ancestors.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 13th | Season of Emancipation Pop Up Series |
| April 14th | Anniversary of Bussa Rebellion |
| April 28th | National Heroes Day |
| May 1st | May Day (Labour Day) |
| May 25th | Africa Day |
| May 25th – Aug 31st | Emancipation Village: Kilombo |
| June 1st – June 30th | Heritage Month |
| July 6th – Aug 5th | Crop Over Festival |
| July 26th | Day of National Significance Folk Concert |
| Aug 1st | Emancipation Day |
| Aug 17th | Marcus Garvey Day |
| Aug 23rd | UN International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition Lecture and Movie Night |
| Aug 27th | Jackie Opel Day Commemoration |
Season of Emancipation Launch
The Speightstown Esplanade hosted the first event at 11am with cultural presentations by the Haynesville Youth Group and author and poet La Shawna Griffith, as well as singer Roneisha Alleyne.
In the 17th century Speightstown was a major port on the island, with ships regularly welcomed from England. In 1649 Oliver Cromwell’s forces were sent to subdue the Barbados colonists who remained loyal to the King. These forces were held at bay off Speightstown for many months.
We then headed south to Oistins Bay Garden for a midday show with the Israel Lovell Foundation, poet and playwright Winston Farrell and songstress Aaliyah Cumberbatch.
In 1652 the Charter of Barbados was signed in Oistins between Oliver Cromwell’s forces and the Governor of Barbados. The Charter ensured the colonists of special rights and privileges related to land ownership, taxation and local governance.
Back on west coast, Holetown was the place to be at 1pm for entertainment by soulful singer Tavon Boyce, spoken-word artist Deo De Poet and the Phoenix Steel Pan Trio.
Holetown is the site of the first English settlement on the island in 1627, the beginning of a trajectory leading to the institution of plantation slavery.
Golden Square Freedom Park in our capital city Bridgetown hosted the day’s final activities starting at 3pm for inspiring performances by writer and spoken word performer Luci Hammans, Dancin’ Africa and the Calvary Moravian Steel Orchestra.
Bridgetown was the initial Caribbean stop for slave ships arriving from Africa, where slaves were offloaded and sold. Despite this tragic historical association, the city also represents the resilience of our people, who not only endured the burdens of slavery but also flourished post-Emancipation and in independent Barbados.
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