August 23 marks the day in 1791 when enslaved Africans on the island of St Domingo revolted - signalling the start of slavery’s downfall. For centuries, African peoples were shipped to America and the Caribbean to work as slaves on plantations producing goods for European consumers.
Despite their dehumanising conditions, they managed to maintain their languages, religions and cultural traditions with dignity. The Day of Remembrance events will examine the cultural legacy and global impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade and serve as a reflection on all those lives that it changed forever.
"It's such a massive chunk of our history, that people aren't aware of," said Sarah Lockwood, Head of Lifelong Learning and Access at the National Maritime Museum. "Maybe we're not doing enough to put the Transatlantic Slave Trade in context."
She explained that the museum is going to try to redress this with drop-in events, which will look at the trade's origins, effects and broaden understanding.
 |  | Slaves on board a ship bound for America. © the Public Records Office. |
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The National Maritime Museum (NMM) in Greenwich is starting events on Saturday, August 20, with a fast-moving performance tour through the museum, exploring the origin and legacy of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The tour will be led by Cultural Exchange through Theatre in Education (CETTIE).
To join the tour from the start, visitors are invited to turn up at the NMM’s lighthouse optic at 11am or 2.30pm. The tour will then take you through the Explorers Gallery and the Trade and Empire Gallery, ending up with an energetic performance entitled Sugar and Spice in the museum grounds at 12.30pm / 4pm.
The performance will tell the history of Greenwich and its involvement in the Transatlantic Slave Trade with theatre and music, and promises to be an uplifting show on a serious subject.
The whole tour will last about two hours: 11am to 1pm the first time around and 2.30pm to 4.30pm in the afternoon.
Local historian Steve I. Martin will pick up the trail of Greenwich and the Slave Trade at 4.35pm. Meet outside the main NMM entrance for his historical trail, which will run until 5.45pm.
The River Niger Orchestra at Liverpool's 2004 commemorative events. Courtesy National Museums Liverpool. | |  |
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On Tuesday 23 August, the NMM Quarter Deck education room is the venue for Music in Motion – a high-energy workshop for young people, looking at the legacy of the slave trade. The roots of jazz, the blues and modern-day urban music will be explored, together with Djembe drumming and storytelling. Places are limited, though, so call 020 8312 6643 for more information and to book. The workshop runs from 2pm to 5pm and there may be places available if you turn up on the day.
Things kick off in Liverpool with a multi-faith remembrance of the victims of the slave trade, at St Nicholas, 11am. Gospel group Urban Voice will perform and join participants in affirming their commitment to human rights and justice for all.
From 12pm, Pier Head will host a special exhibition, children’s activities and refreshments, followed at 1.30pm by a libation led by Chief Angus Chukuemeka.
Beginning at 1.50pm, performances will pack the afternoon at Pier Head. Tribal Soul Arts will present musical and visual installation, ‘The Overcoming’ and the River Niger Orchestra will fill the air with melodies. Local actors will bring slave narratives alive.
 | | Chief Angus Chukuemeka. Courtesy National Museums Liverpool. |
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Merseyside Maritime Museum is offering a spine-chilling ghost walk at 6pm, complete with tales of murder and mystery on the high seas. Tickets are free, but should be booked on 0151 478 4499.
Expert guide, Errick Lynch, is to lead Slavery Trail walks covering Liverpool’s connections with the Transatlantic Slave Trade at 10am and 2pm every day from August 19 to 22.
Make sure you pick up a free ticket from Merseyside Maritime Museum information desk if you want to check out African drumming on Sunday afternoon (August 21). Tickets will be available on the day for the drumming, led by Mamadou at 1pm and 2.45.
A drop-in lecture on August 22 will provide a fascinating account of shipwrecked slave Henrietta Marie. The remembrance lecture will take place at Liverpool Town Hall, beginning at 7pm with free refreshments available from 6pm. Michael Cottman, an African-American author and journalist, has conducted extensive research into the wrecked ship, which unveils a tale spanning three continents and many years.
