The Unveiling Ceremony of the Liberated Slave Monument.

Fri, 04/23/2021 - 14:48

The Unveiling Ceremony of the Liberated Slave Monument was held on Thursday 22nd April 2021 @ Venn's Town Mission Ruins better known as Mission Lodge at Sans Souci. The ceremony was part of the activities to commemorate Heritage Week 16-23April 2021. This Year’s World Heritage day theme is “Complex Past: Diverse Future”

The unveiling of the ceremonial plaque was done by the Mayor Mr. David Andre and the Chief Executive Officer of Seychelles Heritage Foundation. Ms Benjamine Rose, in the presence of several invitees.

The Liberated slave monument is an artistic interpretation of the residents of Venn’s Town industrial school which was built by the Anglican missionary and it remained opened between 1876 to 1889. The Monument depicts three sculpted statues of two Liberated Slave children and a Headmaster. It signifies the idea of nurturing, guidance and knowledge sharing despite the difficult past that the liberated slaves children may have endured at that time. It also symbolizes a ray of hope and choice for those children. . This monument add more value to our heritage sites and thus create better understanding for our daily visitors.

During her speech, the Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Heritage Foundation (SHF), Ms. Rose emphasized that we should learn from our ancestors that we must preserve and protect our tangible and intangible heritage at all cost. She also said that we must take genuine appreciation in valuing our cultural and historical identity. As a young nation we must continue to be engaged in the fulfilment of our future and be thankful of the exceptional bravery and dedications of our ancestors.

The monument was sculpted by local artistic Mr. Egbert Marday and the monument platform was sponsored by Sajee Ryan.

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