African World Heritage Day Celebration On May 5

The African Diaspora Heritage Trail is inviting the public to celebrate UNESCO African World Heritage Day on May 5 at 12.30pm on the Cabinet Grounds.

African World Heritage Day is an outgrowth of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention, which “sets out the duties of State Parties [countries] in identifying potential sites and their role in protecting and serving them.”

The programme will include drumming by Kevin Bean, a performance by the Harrington Sound Primary School, an official proclamation read by former Premier Dr. Ewart Brown, singing by Rickeesha Binns, and a closing by Gavin Smith, Executive Director of the Chewstick Foundation.

A spokesperson said, “The African Diaspora Heritage Trail Bermuda Foundation has had a long history of collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation [UNESCO]. In 2006 the ADHT Bermuda trail was officially designated as a part of the UNESCO Slave Route Project.

“Additionally, Mr. Edmond Moukala, presently Head of the Africa Unit at UNESCO’s headquarters in Paris, was a member of the international Board of the ADHT and continues to be a contributing friend to the Board.

“On 16 November 2015, at the 38th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming May 5th 2016 as African World Heritage Day, in conjunction with the 10th anniversary of UNESCO’s decision to create the African World Heritage Fund.

“The African Diaspora Heritage Trail Bermuda Foundation will commemorate this special day with a reading of the official proclamation from Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, in the Cabinet Grounds at 12.30pm on 5th May 2016. African World Heritage Day is an outgrowth of UNESCO’s World Heritage Convention, which “sets out the duties of State Parties [countries] in identifying potential sites and their role in protecting and serving them.”

“The ADHT, as a part of the UNESCO Slave Route Project, has a number of ‘heritage sites of memory’ across Bermuda. Each of these heritage sites speaks to the history, culture and experience of Bermudians of African descent in Bermuda.

“So the opportunity to join with UNESCO in commemorating African World Heritage Day is a natural fit, especially as this event takes place during Bermuda’s Heritage Month, with its theme – a Tapestry of Cultures. The African Bermudian culture is a very significant part of that Tapestry.”

A World Heritage Site Management Committee [WHSMC] spokesperson said, “The WHSMC joins the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Bermuda Foundation in commemorating African World Heritage Day. This should resonate with all Bermudians and with Black Bermudians in particular, given the profound and growing meaning of African heritage to our sense of identity and community.

“And this global event is especially timely for our island, as Bermuda prepares to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first black person and the first Native American to remain in Bermuda, after they arrived aboard the ship Edwin in 1616.

“We applaud the ADHT for taking the lead role in organising events marking the UNESCO-designated day on May 5th and fully support them in their efforts.”

“The ADHT thus invites all who can to attend this event in the Cabinet Grounds at the site of the Sally Bassett statue, one of the heritage sites of memory on the ADHT trail, on Thursday, 5th May at 12.30pm. The programme will begin with drumming by Mr. Kevin Bean of followed by a performance by the Harrington Sound Primary School.

“The official proclamation will be read by Former Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, who was the chair of the ADHT when the ADHT received the UNESCO Slave Route Project designation.

“Ms Rickeesha Binns will then sing Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is considered the Black National Anthem and the ceremony will be closed out by Mr. Gavin Smith, Executive Director of the Chewstick Foundation, an accomplished musician in his own right.

“The ADHT would like to first of all thank UNESCO and the staff at the Africa Unit for allowing us the honour of having this UNESCO sanctioned event here in Bermuda. We would also like to thank Dr. Derek Binns and his staff at the Cabinet Office for their support in making the location for the presentation available to us.

“Special thanks to all persons who participated and especially for Dr. Brown for taking the time from his schedule to be here to read the official proclamation. Special thanks also to The Chewstick Foundation for providing the sound equipment and the chairs for the students.”

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