Golden Rock Roman Catholic School pupils in cultural wear. (File photo)
ST. EUSTATIUS--Two days of celebration are planned for Emancipation Day 2021 in St. Eustatius. With Emancipation Day, July 1, being declared an official holiday by the Island Council, all stops have been pulled out to celebrate the day in all its glory.
Emancipation Day is the day on which slaves were given their freedom in Statia and elsewhere in the Dutch kingdom. This year will be the 158th anniversary of this momentous occasion.
This year’s celebrations will kick off 10:00am to 1:00pm on Wednesday, June 30 with a presentation by the local schools which is expected to take place at Earl N. Merkman Sports Auditorium.
From 6:00pm until 10:00pm that same day Taste of the Cultures will feature activities geared towards Emancipation Day at Mike E. van Putten Youth Centre.
On Emancipation Day, July 1, a dialogue concerning the importance of Emancipation Day and a discussion on slavery will take place in the Facebook Group St. Eustatius Heritage Dialogue. Persons attending the event are asked to wear cultural attire.
An Emancipation Day March will take place 4:00-5:30pm July 1. The march will start at Golden Rock and will end in Oranjestad.
A cultural manifestation is scheduled in the heart of Oranjestad from 6:00 to 10:00pm.
Attendees at any of the events where crowds are expected over the two-day period are requested to wear a face mask.
