Abolition '07
- My Instrument, My Pen: 25 July – 27 October 2007
An exhibition of poetry and images from children and adults in response to Abolition 07 at Hackney Museum - Abolition 07 Adult Events Programme
- Celebrating Africa Family Events
- United Nations International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade Act and its abolition 2007
Hackney Museum has put on an exhibition 13 March to 27 October 2007 to mark the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. It is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Abolition ’07 has been devised by Hackney Museum to increase awareness of the slave trade and to explore the impact of slavery on the borough’s communities. There will be an exhibition showing the background of the slave trade, resistance to and the abolition of as well as links with local Stoke Newington abolitionists.
Artist Godfried Donkor has been commissionedby Hackney Museum to createnew workfor the exhibition, part of which will be donated to the Museum's permanent collection.
Donkor is also working with Hackney secondary school A level and B Tech Art students who will make their own works in response to the Slave Trade.''
A film of interviews with local men, women and young people on legacies will give the community its voice. Shango Baku, theatre director, will work with Caribbean elders on the Speaking Out drama project. Hackney performance poets Adisa and Baden Prince will be inspiring school children in the primary schools programme.
In developing the exhibition, Hackney Museum has set up a steering group consisting of specialists, representatives from education, Anti-Slavery International and from the local community. The Museum is also engaging with the community in a series of public meetings to find out people’s views and to look at ways of presenting them in the exhibition.
Commenting on Hackney’s project HLF London Region manager Sue Bowers said: “It is so important for people to learn about this aspect of the past, and the cruelty and many repercussions of the slave trade will be brought to a much wider audience through this imaginative project.” Hackney Council’s cabinet member for community services, Councillor Nargis Khan said
"The abolition of the slave trade was a major turning point in London’s history, and it is important to ensure that people in Hackney today are aware of the significance of the decision 200 years ago.
“It is great news that the Hackney Museum is marking the occasion so prominently, and I look forward to seeing the exhibition."
Please also see Abolition 07 Adult Events Programme and Celebrating Africa Family Events.
Page updated: 2 Aug 2007