Cultural pop-ups to start Season of Emancipation

Tomorrow, April 14, the day observed as the Anniversary of the Bussa Rebellion, will signal the start of the Season of Emancipation.

Under the theme: Reimagining the Past; Celebrating the Future, the Division of Culture, in the Prime Minister’s Office, has a number of events planned for this year’s calendar.

The events will kick off tomorrow the Season of Emancipation Pop-Up Series across the island. There will be live painting, dancing, spoken word and musical performances from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at five locations. Holetown at 11 a.m., Oistins at midday, Six Roads at 1:30 p.m., Speightstown at 2 p.m. and Bridgetown at 4 p.m.

The first event will start in Holetown. This is symbolic given that Holetown was the site of the first British landing in Barbados in 1625 and the first settlement by the British two years later.  The cultural activity starts at 11 a.m. by Trents Playing Field with entertainment by the Haynesville Youth Group. Visual artists Von Hall and Shanika Grimes will also be on site creating works. 

The Emancipation celebrations then move to Oistins Bay Garden at midday. Oistins played a significant role as a trans-shipment point for sugar and other crops grown at nearby plantations. 

In 1652 at The Mermaid Tavern in Oistins, the Charter of Barbados was signed between Oliver Cromwell’s representative and the Governor of Barbados who remained loyal to the King. 

The Charter guaranteed Barbados colonists rights and privileges unheard of in any other colony, including rights to their land and local control of taxation.

The cultural pop up at Oistins features Christ Church Foundation School Steel Orchestra and Dancin’ Africa.  

At 1:30 p.m., the activities head to the East at Six Roads, St Philip where Pinelands Creative Workshop and dramatist Wayne ‘Skillett’ Harewood will perform in Emerald City Carpark.

At 2 p.m. in the northern part of the country comes alive with Darryl Jordan Secondary School Steel Orchestra and spoken-word artist Luci Hammans in Speightstown Esplanade. 

In the 17th century Speightstown was a major portwith ships arriving from England. Schooners ran between Speightstown and Bridgetown. Speightstown has been twinned with the British town of Reading and with the City of Charleston, South Carolina in the United States.

The day’s activities fittingly culminate at Golden Square Freedom Park in Bridgetown at 4 p.m.

Bridgetown was the first port of call for ships making the trans-Atlantic crossing from Africa. In the 17th century, it was regarded as the centre of the British Atlantic trade, as a port for the trade of goods including sugar and slaves. This historic city and its nearby Garrison was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011.

On stage at Golden Square Freedom Park, Barbados Community College Folk Chorale and St Leonard’s Boys’ School Steel Orchestra.  

The Season of Emancipation is a time to reflect not only on the injustice and suffering of slavery but also on the unbroken spirit of our ancestors. Much of Barbados’ cultural heritage, including dance, music and cuisine, is proudly rooted in the traditions and experiences of the country’s African descendants.