A look back and a look ahead
On May 30, 2024, Saint-Martin celebrated the 176th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. The theme of this year’s event was “Life after Emancipation: The Making of a Country”.
A cultural celebration
The celebrations took place at the “Lady Liberty Monument” at the Agrément traffic circle in Marigot. There was a colorful cultural program with skits, dances, poems and songs. These performances honored the heritage of Freetown and celebrated the cultural cornerstone “Tantan Nez”.
Official speeches
After the cultural part, the official part of the event followed with speeches from various dignitaries of the French government of Saint-Martin. In their speeches, they not only paid tribute to the past struggles for freedom, but also emphasized the ongoing journey towards unity and cultural preservation in Saint-Martin.
Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Lyndon Lewis, were among the few dignitaries from the Dutch Sint Maarten who were invited as guests to the celebration of the 176th anniversary of the abolition of slavery.
Background
The French abolition of slavery in 1848 was a turning point in the history of Saint-Martin. Although slavery was officially abolished, former slaves continued to face discrimination and disadvantage for many years.
Slaves on the Dutch side of the island protested and threatened to flee to the French side to seek asylum. The local Dutch authorities relented and emancipated the colonies’ slaves. While this decree was respected locally, it was not until 1863 when the Dutch abolished slavery in all of their island colonies that the slaves became legally free.
The way forward
The 176th anniversary of the abolition of slavery was an opportunity to remember the past, celebrate the present and shape the future. The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities Saint-Martin faces as it moves towards a united and diverse society.
Lady Liberty
The woman depicted, also known as Lady Liberty, was created by sculptor Theodore Bonev to commemorate the 159th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in Saint Martin. The woman never existed, but she is known here on Saint Martin as a symbol of freedom.
Other monuments on the subject
In addition to Lady Liberty, there are other monuments on Saint Martin / Sint Maarten and throughout the Caribbean. Finally, here are a few examples:
If you would like to find out more about the statues of Saint Martin / Sint Maarten read our article:
Our conclusion
Above all, the anniversary of the abolition of slavery is an important day for Saint Martin. It commemorates past horrors and celebrates the freedom and progress achieved since then.
It is a day of awareness for a fairer and more equal future.
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