 2023 Virtual Emancipation Launch. Emancipation 2023. We hold on to the theme in kindling our consciousness and continue to awaken our identity. Tap into our history, celebrate our heroes, and pay homage to the events of the past which have shaped our present and continues to build our future. By the way, my name is Ezra, your host. Ay, ay, ay. Emancipation celebrations is a part of a three-year plan to reinvigorate the spirit of emancipation nationally, touching all walks of life through diverse programs and initiatives. Last year drew us to the waterfront with drums and dance in reverence and jauntiness, a theatrical recreation of the celebration of emancipation and the national showcase of talent. Let's recap. What a spectacular culmination of Emancipation 2022. The highlight for me was a drums and dance ritual with the breathtaking backdrop of the castries harbor. There is something special about the sea. Maybe it fossilizes our memories. Where are your monuments? Your battles? Matters? Where is your tribal memory? Serves in the great vault. The sea. The sea has locked them up. The sea is history. Derek Walker. Now, in our second year, observing the theme and kindling our consciousness, raising awareness, educating and celebrating our heroes from a major part of the thrust to envelop a deep appreciation and understanding what emancipation truly means. Last year, we honored our hero, Petrony Dwyne. Registered in St. Lucia as a slave during the early 1800s, the revolutionary Negros Mawon Petrony Dwyne was beaten, then brutally killed to the pillory on April 9, 1823 for the act of maunage. Her resistance sparked protests and similar actions from the enslaved on the border estate in Dennery, a historical event which led to the emancipation of women slaves from punishment. As we continue to build and stand on the foundation laid by our ancestors, as a country, we have triumphed over trials. As a people, we have accomplished the possible building our country from the foundation laid down by those who came before us. Maybe the spirit of persistence must be inherited. Her is Oshoon, with a classic calypso, is African in me. For some facts, this launch would not be complete without some history. In 1845, a law was proposed to tax the raw produce of agriculture with the exception of sugar, rum, and other byproducts of the sugar industry. In effect, this taxed the provisions of crops and hindered small peasants while sparing the plantocracies' cash crops. There is a link between emancipation and carnival. The prohibition of slaves from different estates were prohibited from congregating. For instance, this was reiterated in 1783 and again in 1826. In 1783, carnival was specifically mentioned as a time when congregations without permission and those lending their buildings for the purpose will find 100 and 300 pounds respectively. On the 10th of June 1806, the Houses of Parliament at Westminster passed a resolution declaring the slave trade founded on principles contrary to justice, humanity, and sound policy, engaged to institute measures for its total abolition. In 1814, a slave registry was established. Cultural Development Foundation is the lead on emancipation celebrations, along with 12 other agencies, including the Folk Research Centre. To give wider perspectives of the celebration, the Folk Research Centre Executive Director, Rycer Joseph, representing the Emancipation Committee, will give a few remarks in Creole. L'année passée nous célébrait emancipation à d'ailleurs façois qu'il était différent. Nous t'essayons de lever conscience juste ici. Emancipation c'est la sinne identité de nous. Emancipation c'est l'histoire et les prudences nous. Emancipation c'est la honte que nous continuons aujourd'hui. Comité Emancipation qui a évité toute citoyenne pour participer à cette activité emancipation. Mais please qu'il soit pour cacher les réfléchis et puis vivre la vie emancipation. Some of the lead personnel directing and championing the cause of emancipation. Thank you. Now for the moment we've all been waiting for. What does Emancipation 2023 have in store for us this year? Let's take in the calendar of events and be sure to save the dates. Professor of history Chris Manjapura on all media platforms at 10 a.m. The celebration continues with the second installment of the freedom concert one empire event Tuesday 1st august in v4 at 2 p.m. Backfinding adventure our ancestors journey to freedom a tour and day of activities at four new estates from 10 a.m. Emancipation art will come alive with a breathtaking reveal of the emancipation murals Friday 16 august on job at the street castries from 10 a.m. A thought-provoking panel discussion the history of v4 on NTN and all media platforms at 8 p.m. The Wallace Festival Warfett in Crowley on Wednesday 30 august a church service at 9 a.m. Parade at 12 noon and performances at 2 p.m. And kindling our consciousness emancipation celebrations 2023. The calendar of events for this year's celebration of emancipation is distinct. It is entertaining as well as informative. There is an event for everyone. For the next three years emancipation will be a priority for solution and solutions. The government is placing importance on emancipation through dissemination of information get towards a celebration through a full calendar of activities from July to August to speak to the justification of government support for emancipation. The minister of tourism information broadcasting culture and the creative industries. Honorable Dr. Nesile, who is a champion for the celebrations. In 2021, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre upon becoming Prime Minister announced that St. Lucia will start celebrating emancipation day in a manner not seen before in our country. He made it very clear that emancipation must mean more to us than it has done in the past. Last year for the first time, we celebrated emancipation month, not just a day. It started off with our grand cultural performance demonstrating all that is best about St. Lucia and celebrating the fact that the slaves were freed in St. Lucia and we have inherited all the pain and suffering that they went through. This year for the second year, we will again celebrate emancipation month under the theme and can blame your consciousness. For us, it is a very powerful statement that our people must come to understand and recognize the importance that emancipation has played in our history. Last year, we were overwhelmed with the level of support and expressions of participation that took place throughout St. Lucia. We want to build on that. We want to make this year's celebration even more meaningful. We've had more consultations with stakeholders, more consultation with communities and this year, I promise you that the program that we will present is one which will be a very powerful statement of our commitment to celebrate the emancipation of our forefathers in a manner befitting its historical significance. So I invite all St. Lucia's to be part of the celebration in your local communities or at the national level. Come out, celebrate, participate, educate and let us make sure that emancipation continues to mean something significant to us. Thank you very much. There you have it, the Emancipation Celebration's 2023 Calendar of Events and Activities. Be sure to attend and follow the activities and events. Again, designed for raising our consciousness and shaping our future. Thank you for viewing and goodbye.