Slavery exhibition opens

The United Nations Educa-tional, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Mobile Slavery Exhibition was yesterday opened at the National Museum, where President Donald Ramotar urged all Guyanese, especially young people, to make a special effort to view it.

“It is fitting that every Guyanese make a special effort to be a part of these activities,” Ramotar said, while urging all Guyanese not to forget that all the struggles for freedom can be traced back to the struggle and fight against slavery.

The exhibition, launched under the theme ‘Lest We Forget: The Triumph Over Slavery,’ offers an inspiring look at the cultural, political and economic and social practices enslaved Africans developed while enduring the dehumanising conditions of slavery.

A young man views one of the many displays at the UNESCO mobile slavery exhibition that opened yesterday at the National Museum. (Photo by Arian Browne)
A young man views one of the many displays at the UNESCO mobile slavery exhibition that opened yesterday at the National Museum. (Photo by Arian Browne)

Culture Minster Dr Frank Anthony said people should make this an excursion into history and not just an excursion to the museum. “As a people it is important that we know history so that we can appreciate struggles of our ancestors,” he said, while adding that the ministry has made a commitment for Guyanese to know about their history and one of the many ways this will be done is by the building of the 1823 monument.

The exhibition will be open for a month and the public is invited to view the many panels that tell of the experiences of the transatlantic trade in captive Africans.

 

 

 

 

President Donald Ramotar (right), Culture Minister Frank Anthony (second from right) and other officials inspecting one of the many panels on display at the UNESCO mobile slavery exhibition. (Photo by Arian Browne)
President Donald Ramotar (right), Culture Minister Frank Anthony (second from right) and other officials inspecting one of the many panels on display at the UNESCO mobile slavery exhibition. (Photo by Arian Browne)

 

 

 

President Donald Ramotar assisting Latifa Agard in cutting the ribbon at the opening of the UNESCO Mobile Slavery Exhibition at the National Museum yesterday. (Photo by Arian Browne)
President Donald Ramotar assisting Latifa Agard in cutting the ribbon at the opening of the UNESCO Mobile Slavery Exhibition at the National Museum yesterday. (Photo by Arian Browne)