March 25th is the International day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In commemoration the United Nations will be hosting a series of events around the world. Visit the dedicated page: un.org/en/slavery/
The transatlantic slave trade is a major element of global history, yet little is known about the 400 year long trade. Its lasting consequences – the contribution of slaves to the building of the societies of their enslavement – are felt throughout the world. The stories of lives of enslaved Africans in the Americas and the Caribbean display the capacity of human beings to develop even under dehumanizing conditions. They also represent diverse ways in which human beings confront and transcend oppression. Drums have historically played an important role in the lives of people of African descent who used drums in rituals and religious ceremonies as a way of expressing themselves through a series of drum beats.
The United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) plans to hold a series of events around the world in commemoration of the International day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The UN officials and the general public will join in breaking the silence, beating the drum at the opening ceremony on 25 March 2009 at 12:00 noon, local time. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will kick-start the commemoration by symbolically drumming some rhythms of his own at a special outdoor ceremony with the President of the General Assembly, Miguel dEscotto Brockmann, representatives of UN Member States, children from a local school, professional percussionists and other invited guests.
