“Honouring the heroes, resisters and survivors”, an exhibition on slave trade, opens at United Nations

NEW YORK, March 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- A multimedia exhibition to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade will open in the Main Gallery of the Visitors Lobby on Tuesday, 27 March at 6 p.m.

This exhibit will showcase a retrospective on the scope and abolition of the slave trade with maps, photographs, illustrations and narratives. It will be presented at United Nations Headquarters for the first time prior to travelling to a number of United Nations Information Centres around the world. Also featured is a sculpture by Haitian-American artist Alex Locadia, as well as original books, documents, illustrated newspapers and artefacts from the private collection of the New York African American Historical Society, the Mark E. Mitchell Collection, The Freeman Institute Black History Collection. A collection of radio features produced by United Nations Radio on the slave trade from the African Diaspora will be accessible via listening stations in the gallery.

This year's theme “Honouring the Heroes, Resisters and Survivors” of the Transatlantic Slave Trade aims to pay tribute to the brave men and women who valiantly fought against the inhumane practices of slavery. “This observance forces us to confront human beings at their worst. But, in those who opposed slavery then and now, we also celebrate people at their best,” says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

This year's exhibit opening ceremony will be followed by an evening of African and Caribbean cuisine and culture. Chef and culinary consultant Scott Barton will discuss the culinary and cultural connections between Africa and the Americas, followed by musical performances by the National Ballet of Cameroon.

This exhibition is presented by the Permanent Representatives of the African Group and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassadors' Caucus, in association with the United Nations Department of Public Information. It will remain on display until the end of May, as part of the activities marking the International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, designated in General Assembly resolution 62/122. Other activities at Headquarters include a non-governmental organization briefing, a special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly, a film screening and a global video conference for students at the primary and secondary levels.

For more information on the slave trade and events commemorating the international year, please visit http://www.un.org/en/events/slaveryremembranceday/.