Today, February 1, 2024, we celebrate the 189th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius. The President of the Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawon, is the guest of honor for this commemoration.
Several activities are being organized to mark the 189th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Mauritius by the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage in collaboration with Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund and the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture. The anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Mauritius also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the UNESCO Routes of the Enslaved People and the end of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024.
Some activities have already been organized. For example, there was a wreath-laying ceremony at the Bassin des Esclaves, Pamplemousses, on January 30, 2024. There will also be a wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument aux Esclaves, Pointe Canon, Mahébourg, on January 31, 2024;
The highlight of the program will be at Le Morne. This morning, at 10:30 am, the Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage is organizing a wreath-laying ceremony at the International Slave Route Monument in Le Morne, in the presence of the Prime Minister, Mr. Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, and the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan.
The wreath-laying ceremony will be followed by an official program on the public beach of Le Morne, opposite the Slave Route International Monument. High-profile political figures, religious and business leaders and members of the country’s cultural associations will be present in Le Morne to pay tribute to our ancestors.
Other activities to come
Tomorrow, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Mr Wavel Ramkalawan, accompanied by the Minister of Arts and Cultural Heritage, Mr Avinash Teeluck, will visit the Intercontinental Slavery Museum.
A ‘live cooking cuisine’ and culinary tasting of traditional dishes by Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund in collaboration with the Ecole Hôtelière Sir Gaëtan Duval at the Mahogany Shopping Promenade, Beau Plan on February 3, 2024;
An art exhibition and sale on the theme
“A new iconography of slavery” by the Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture at La Tour Koenig, will take place on February 15, 2024 followed by the launch of a comic book on slavery by Stanley Harmonie.
