2019 Remembrance Programme
"Remember Slavery: The Power of the Arts for Justice"
Since the time of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, the arts have been used to confront slavery, empower enslaved communities and honour those who made freedom possible. They have also been vital tools in commemorating past struggles, highlighting ongoing injustices and celebrating the achievements of people of African descent. The 2019 theme therefore draws attention to the many examples of artistic expression – including memorials, music, dance and architecture – that have helped us to remember the history and consequences of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Message of the United Nations Secretary-General | Calendar of events
Message of the United Nations Secretary-General for 2019
The transatlantic slave trade was one of history’s most appalling manifestations of human barbarity.
We must never forget the crimes and impacts, in Africa and beyond, across the centuries.
The United Nations Remember Slavery Programme helps to ensure that the lessons are learned and heeded today.
Enslaved people struggled against a legal system they knew was wrong.
On many occasions, they sacrificed their lives in the hope of freedom.
We need to tell the stories of those who stood up against their oppressors, and recognize their righteous resistance.
On this International Day of Remembrance, we pay homage to the millions of African men, women and children who were denied their humanity and forced to endure such abominable cruelty.
We honour them by standing up against ongoing forms of slavery, by raising awareness of the dangers of racism in our time, and by ensuring justice and equal opportunities for all people of African descent today.
António Guterres
Calendar of events
5 February 2019
President of Equatorial Guinea becomes first Head of State to visit Ark of Return
The President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, H.E. Mr. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, today visited the Ark of Return, the Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations. In doing so, he became the first Head of State to visit the memorial.
The President was welcomed by Mr. Maher Nasser, the Director of the United Nations Department of Global Communications’ Outreach Division, and received a briefing on the landmark’s significance from a United Nations tour guide.
Following his tour, the President spoke in Spanish about the Transatlantic Slave Trade, saying, “Esa tragedia realmente ha perdido la vida de miles de personas inocentes simplemente para explotar esa gente, los trabajos. Los abusos que han sufrido estas personas… Yo creo que el mundo de hoy ya no puede reconocer estos actos aunque fueron actos pasados. Por eso [el Arca del Retorno] nos da la memoria para que la humanidad sea más perfecta y que haya armonía, haya compartición, haya respeto a los seres humanos. Creo que es un buen ejemplo, el hecho de que se erige un monumento en recuerdo a esa tragedia.”
[“This tragedy led to the lives of thousands of innocent people being lost – simply to exploit those people, their work. The abuses that these people have suffered... I believe that today's world can no longer even recognize these acts, even if they were past acts. That is why [the Ark of Return] makes us remember – so that humanity becomes more perfect, and there is harmony, there is sharing, there is respect for human beings. I think it's a good example, the fact that a monument has been erected in memory of that tragedy."]
Equatorial Guinea was one of the top five contributors to the that was established to erect the Permanent Memorial.
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, visits the "Ark of Return,"
the permanent memorial at 缅北禁地Headquarters designed by architect Rodney Leon, honouring the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.
缅北禁地Photo/Mark Garten
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (centre by sculpture), President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, visits the "Ark of Return."
At left is Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the Department of Global Communications.
缅北禁地Photo/Mark Garten
8 March 2019
New exhibit on slavery in New York featured at 缅北禁地Headquarters
An exhibition entitled “From Africa to the New World: Slavery in New York” will be on display in the 缅北禁地Visitors Lobby from 8 March to 8 April 2019. The exhibition describes the impact that the Transatlantic Slave Trade had on persons of African descent, both free and enslaved, who were living in New York City during the 17th and 18th centuries, and the role that art played in their struggle for freedom. Read more about the exhibition
25 March 2019
缅北禁地commemorates International Day of Remembrance of Victims of Slavery and Transatlantic Slave Trade in New York
The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade was observed at United Nations Headquarters in New York on the afternoon of 25 March 2019. Highlights included a commemorative meeting of the General Assembly in the General Assembly Hall. The meeting featured remarks by the Secretary-General, the President of the General Assembly and Member States. The keynote speaker was artist Christopher Cozier from Trinidad and Tobago.
Cultural event at 缅北禁地Headquarters highlights foods and music from Africa and the African diaspora
On the evening of 25 March 2019, the Remember Slavery Programme organized its annual cultural and culinary event in the Visitors’ Lobby. The gathering featured Afrobeats and other music from Africa and the African diaspora, including the Caribbean, by Serge Tiendrebeogo, a deejay from Burkina Faso. It also showcased foods contributed by Member States, illustrating legacies of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
28 March 2019
Civil society gathering discusses role of memorials in educating about history of Transatlantic Slave Trade and contributions of people of African descent
The United Nations Department of Global Communications hosted a briefing for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the public, entitled “The role of memorials in preserving history”, on 28 March 2019, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber. Organized by the Remember Slavery Programme in partnership with the NGO Relations, Advocacy & Special Events Section, the event brought together architects, curators and experts of African and Caribbean heritage to discuss how best to preserve, promote and manage sites of memory. Speakers included representatives of three slavery memorials and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as well as a youth representative. Read more about the event. .
10 May 2019
Global Student Videoconference brings together students from Africa and the Americas to discuss role of art in remembering slavery and promoting justice
The United Nations Department of Global Communications partnered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Associated Schools Network and Links, Inc. to hold its 11th annual Remember Slavery Global Student Videoconference on 10 May 2019, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Through sharing research projects and artistic presentations, students in Kenya, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States, learned about the power of the arts in promoting justice and tackling the consequences of the transatlantic slave trade. Speakers included Ms. Essence Gant, Beauty Director at BuzzFeed, who spoke about black representation in the media; H.E. Mr. Mauro Vieira, Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations; H.E. Ms. I. Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations; and architect Rodney Leon, designer of the Ark of Return. Read more about the event. .
Sierra Leone Minister Visits Ark of Return
On 10 May 2019, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, H.E. Ms. Memunatu Pratt, paid tribute to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade at the Ark of Return.
Minister Pratt underscored the importance of memorials in preserving the history of the transatlantic slave trade and helping people to come to terms with the kinds of problems and challenges that it had imposed on people.
She noted that Sierra Leone had strong links to the transatlantic slave trade because it had been one of the “source markets in terms of shipment of slaves to the New World.” Following the abolition of slavery, the country received former enslaved Africans from the Caribbean and Canada and became “a sort of melting pot.”
“What is important are the legacies of places like Bunce Island and other sites because when you go there you have an opportunity to witness the atrocities, violence and human rights abuses that took place there,” said Minister Pratt. “Today, many people in Sierra Leone and other countries are still suffering the psychological impact of slavery because they have not been able to feel fully emancipated.”
Bunce Island was established as a slave trading station in 1670 and operated until 1808. From there, tens of thousands of enslaved Africans were sent to the Americas. The fort was abandoned in 1840 and became a national monument in 1948.
H.E. Ms. Memunatu Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone, visits the Ark of Return
accompanied by Mr. Maher Nasser, Department of Global Communications Outreach Division Director.
缅北禁地Photo: DGC/Max Hundhammer
2 October 2019
“Bigger than Africa” film screening highlights impact of Yoruba culture in New World
On 2 October 2019, the Remember Slavery Programme, in partnership with the International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024, and in cooperation with the non-governmental organization Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), held a screening and discussion of the film “Bigger Than Africa”. The film tells the story of how West Africa’s Yoruba culture survived suppression during the transatlantic slave trade and continues to play a major role in the Americas. Nigerian-born film director Toyin Ibrahim Adekeye introduced the film and participated in pre-film and post-film discussions. Other speakers included Tijjani Muhammad-Bande (Nigeria), President of the seventy fourth session of the General Assembly; Melissa Fleming, Under Secretary General for Global Communications; Kamil Olufowobi, Chief Executive Officer of MIPAD; Jacob K. Olupona, Professor of African Religious Traditions and Professor of African and African American Studies at the Harvard Divinity School; and Avery Ammon, Director of Afrika House in Trinidad and Tobago. Read the press release. .
21 November 2019
Harlem Globetrotters pay tribute to victims of slavery at Ark of Return
Photo: DGC/BJ Rubin
21 November 2019 - The Harlem Globetrotters paid their first ever visit to the United Nations today. During their visit, Big Easy Lofton, Hammer Harrison, Torch George, Lucky Jiang and Dazzle Kidon paid tribute to the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade at the Ark of Return, the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
Established in 1926 in Chicago, the Harlem Globetrotters have inspired youth and adults across the globe with both their skill and leadership. Since their founding, they have played more than 25,000 exhibition games in 124 countries. Off the court, they are known as "ambassadors of goodwill" and internationally known for championing issues that impact children and families.
Designed by architect Rodney Leon, the United Nations Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade was unveiled on 25 March 2015, following an international design competition. The Remember Slavery Programme offers free briefings at the Ark of Return every Wednesday from March to November, except during September’s General Debate period. Group tours may be scheduled be contacting education-outreach@un.org
2 December 2019
United States Congressional Black Caucus visits Ark of Return
A delegation representing the United States Congressional Black Caucus paid a visit to the Ark of Return on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
Accompanying the group was actor Djimon Hounsou and architect Rodney Leon, the designer of the memorial.
Welcoming the group was Maher Nasser, Director of the United Nations Department of Global Communications’ Outreach Division, who briefed the group about the memorial and the work of the United Nations Remember Slavery Programme.
Rodney Leon described the three elements of the memorial: Acknowledge the Tragedy, Consider the Legacy, and Lest We Forget.
The members of the delegation were: Representatives Alma Adams, Karen Bass, Lisa Blunt Rochester, G.K. Butterfield, Yvette Clarke, Alcee Hastings, Sheila Jackson Lee, Hank Johnson, Brenda Lawrence, Barbara Lee, Gregory Meeks, Gwen Moore, IDonald Payne, Ayanna Pressley, Bennie Thompson, Frederica Wilson and Delegate Stacey Plaskett.
Following the visit to the memorial, the group was briefed by various United Nations officials on the work of the Organization.
United States Congressional Black Caucus members gather at Ark of Return.
缅北禁地Photo/Mark Garten
Representative Alcee Hastings tours the Ark of Return.
缅北禁地Photo/Mark Garten
Representative G.K. Butterfield tours the Ark of Return.
缅北禁地Photo/Mark Garten
Delegate Stacey Plaskett and Representative Sheila Jackson Lee at Ark of Return.
缅北禁地Photo/Mark Garten
Actor Djimon Hounsou and Ark of Return designer Rodney Leon.
缅北禁地Photo/Mark Garten
16 December 2019
Martin Luther King III visits UN’s memorial to victims of slavery
Martin Luther King III, the son of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., visited the Ark of Return, the United Nations’ Permanent Memorial to Honour the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
He was accompanied by his wife, Arndrea Waters King, and his daughter, Yolanda Renee King.
Following a briefing by Maher Nasser, Director of the United Nations’ Department of Global Communications’ Outreach Division, Mr. King said, “My wife and I and our daughter are truly honored to be here at the United Nations to visit this memorial… that acknowledges slavery and the real tragedy that slavery has done to our world, particularly for African people. But this monument is beyond moving as a tribute because the institution of slavery can never be forgotten – the inhumanity, how people were reduced to being far less than human beings and forced to come on a journey that no one ever should have to have gone through.”
Mr. King added, “But the fact of the matter is that memorials keep the focus in perspective and particularly at this time in our world as we are looking at racism in America. My father and mother dedicated their lives to the eradication of what Dad called the triple evils of poverty, racism, militarism and violence. And slavery obviously was bred out of racist mentality, and we have to stomp out all the vestiges of racism so that we can move to a higher level and become a better society.”
Mrs. King said, “I think it has often been said that eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and it is our hope that, as people come to this memorial, that they continue to rededicate and renew themselves to the issues of peace, justice and equity, and that we truly usher in a decade that really embraces those principles.”
Yolanda added, “I think it’s important that we have a story. And so this is an important part of the UN, and people should know the history of this form of slavery. And I think that every sculpture here and that every piece of art and everything that’s put in here has a meaning to it. And I think that this reflect their impact, their perspectives.”
Martin Luther King III and his family at the Ark of Return.
Photo: DGC/BJ Rubin
Maher Nasser of the 缅北禁地Department of Global Communications explains the significance
of the Ark of Return to Martin Luther King III and his family
Photo: DGC/BJ Rubin