Emancipation 2023: Legacies Of Honour

The Department of Culture has “worked with stakeholders to put together a community calendar of events that speak to the theme” of this year’s Emancipation Commemoration, which is “Legacies of Honour,” Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport Senator Owen Darrell said.

Speaking today [July 5] in the Senate the Minister said, “Cup Match is not only a time for celebration – it is also a time when we commemorate the formal end of the enslavement of people of African and Native American descent in Bermuda.

“With this in mind, the Department of Culture set the theme for this year’s Emancipation Commemoration as “Legacies of Honour”. We have borrowed this theme from the title of the film that we will be premiering tonight as our signature event entitled “Cup Match: Legacy of Honour”. The production of this film, created by Dr. Dana Selassie of Zyhon International, is supported by the Department of Culture, the Somerset Cricket Club, and the St. George’s Cricket Club working collaboratively on this project.

“In addition to this signature event, the Department of Culture has worked with stakeholders to put together a community calendar of events that speak to the theme. ”

Emancipation Calendar of Events [PDF here]

“As we begin the leadup to Cup Match, Emancipation Day, and Mary Prince Day, it is my hope that the programming provided by the Department of Culture as well as our community stakeholders will provide an opportunity for the whole of Bermuda to remember and celebrate the legacies that uplift us as a people.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Madam President, for many Bermudians, Cup Match is considered to be one of the most significant events on our island’s cultural calendar. The family togetherness, the camps, the traditional foods and the overall party atmosphere makes this an amazing time of year to enjoy our families, our friends, and the spirit of being Bermudian.

However Madam President, Cup Match is not only a time for celebration – it is also a time when we commemorate the formal end of the enslavement of people of African and Native American descent in Bermuda. It is a time for education and reflection; for remembering, in particular, the contributions of our National Hero Mary Prince. It is a time for remembering the stories of those who were legendary, like Sally Bassett; those who were executed because of their attempts to overthrow slavery, like Natt, Peter, Nancy and Mingo; those who ran away like Lettice, Black Jack and Patience; and those who were lashed and hanged for minor offences like Simon, Black Mathew and Tom.

Madam President, it is equally important for us to remember that the history of black Bermudians is not one of relentless tragedy. So much of our heritage speaks not only to the horrors our ancestors managed to endure and survive; but also to our resilience as a people. Our stories speak to our strengths, our family and community connections.

Madam President, with this in mind, the Department of Culture set the theme for this year’s Emancipation Commemoration as “Legacies of Honour”. We have borrowed this theme from the title of the film that we will be premiering tonight as our signature event entitled “CUP MATCH: Legacy of Honour”. The production of this film, created by Dr. Dana Selassie of Zyhon International, is supported by the Department of Culture, the Somerset Cricket Club, and the St. George’s Cricket Club working collaboratively on this project.

Madam President, as Bermudians we all know that Cup Match is so much more than a game of cricket. This film explores the historical and cultural meaning of this uniquely Bermudian tradition – how it has evolved from its start with the Friendly Societies into a symbol of excellence generations later. We have the opportunity to hear about the heritage of the game from those who have been intimately involved with the organisation, strategy, and sport: Dawn Simmons, Cleveland Foggo, Neil Paynter, Clay Smith, Myra Bristol, Erwyn Bean and more.

Madam President, not only will this event showcase this new film, but we will also have the opportunity to hear from present and former captains in a panel discussion following the screening. There is no charge to attend this event, and I encourage the public to visit www.culture.bm to reserve their space.

Madam President, in addition to this signature event, the Department of Culture has worked with stakeholders to put together a community calendar of events that speak to the theme. The Department of Libraries and Archives will be hosting an event with Mr. Milton Hill entitled “African Bermudian Maritime History: Where Do We Go From Here?”. The Department of Culture is also pleased to highlight the work of tour guides such as Rashida Godwin at Titan Tours who will host a “Mary Prince Legacy Tour”; as well as Lunch and Learns with Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda.

Madam President, the Department of Culture is also sponsoring our annual Emancipation Youth Creativity Competition. Youth under the age of 18 are encouraged to submit a poem, essay, artwork or video exploring the theme: “What Family or Community Legacy Makes Me Feel Proud?”. We have had some excellent entries in previous years, and we expect this year will be no different. The deadline for submissions is Friday July 28th.

Madam President, The Department of Culture will close out the month with a two-part lecture series as part of the Bermudian Heartbeats programme, entitled “Rites and Rituals: Memorialising Sites of Resistance and Trauma in a Modern Bermuda”. Information on these programmes as well as previous years’ research conducted by the Department of Culture can be found on www.emancipationbermuda.com.

Madam President, as we begin the leadup to Cup Match, Emancipation Day, and Mary Prince Day, it is my hope that the programming provided by the Department of Culture as well as our community stakeholders will provide an opportunity for the whole of Bermuda to remember and celebrate the legacies that uplift us as a people.

Thank you, Madam President.

For extensive coverage of Cup Match spanning over a decade, visit our website BernewsCupMatch.com, the island’s most comprehensive resource on the Cup Match holiday.

• Over 6,000 photos here
• Over 150 videos here
• Over 80 graphics here
• History here
• Dedicated website: BernewsCupMatch.com

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