PHILIPSBURG:--- The theme for this years "Emancipation from Within - The Voice of Our People." The festivities will start on June 30 to July 1 Emancipation Day. Minister of Culture Rita Bourne-Gumbs invited all to come out and take part in the celebration, which is promised to be a cultural manifestation at Emilio Wilson Estate.
The Voices Foundation in collaboration with the Culture Department will organize a re-enactment of the Diamond Hill Estate Run on Diamond Hill, in Cole Bay. National Institute of Arts (NIA) co-Founder Clara Reyes and President of the Conscious Lyrics Foundation Shujah Reiph, said the run is historical. 26 slaves escaped from a plantation on in 1848, when news got out that slavery had been abolished on French St. Maarten.
The Slaves took the opportunity and ran for their freedom through the bushes and hills to get to the French Side. Those who want to take part in the classes can come to the John Larmonie Center at 7.30 p.m daily. The run will start at 11pm on Tuesday June 30 and will run into Midnight July 1st. Persons are asked to come barefoot or wear sandals to the event.
Director of the Philipsburg Cultural Center Urmain Dormoy will be responsible for a culture parade through the streets of St. Peters. Resident of St. Peters are requested to decorate their homes to show solidarity with the parade and the meaning of emancipation day.
The program includes an ecumenical service at St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church on Front Street, Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Wreath laying ceremonies at One Tete Lokhay and Freedom Fighters monuments between 10.15 and 11 a.m.
The Emancipation Day celebration and cultural manifestation at Emilio Wilson Park organized and hosted by the Voices Foundation, starting at 1pm to 6:30pm.
A cultural parade, starting at the entrance of Marigot Hill Road at 2.30 p.m., will lead through St. Peters to Emilio Wilson Estate. The activities for the Emancipation Day celebration will end at 8 p.m.
