Slavery Remembrance Day is celebrated every year on 23 August with a series of free events.
This year the main events are staged at Otterspool Promenade in south Liverpool.
The day starts at 1045 hours on Wednesday 23 August with an interfaith church service at Liverpool’s parish church of St Nicholas on the city’s waterfront.
Events at Otterspool begin at 12 noon. There is a cultural food and exhibition marquee with traditional African and Caribbean food plus lots of children’s activities ranging from playing musical instruments to mask-making. There is a chance to explore items linked to the transatlantic slave trade and an opportunity to learn more about the exciting new International Slavery Museum at Merseyside Maritime Museum opening on Slavery Remembrance Day 2007.
At 1300 hours Chief Angus Chukuemeka leads a libation joined by civic and community leaders from the Liverpool area. This is a traditional African ceremony involving the pouring of liquid while paying homage to ancestors.
Following the libation, visitors move into the main marquee at 1330 hours for an afternoon of exciting and entertaining music and drama performances plus children’s activities. Performers include the River Niger Orchestra, Liverpool Community Spirit, rappers Yaw and Kofi and a community choir