The International Slavery Museum’s annual Slavery Remembrance Day, held on 23 August, returns this year as we commemorate this important date at National Museums Liverpool with the theme of Reflections: Past & Present.

Looking at the past and the horrific history of the transatlantic slave trade, the three-day commemoration from Saturday 21 – Monday 23 August will reflect, remember, and encourage learning from the injustices of the past and how we can work together to prevent them from happening again.

This years guest speakers Maria O’Reilly, local community activist, and Professor Bayyinah Bello, world-renowned academic, will deliver the annual Dorothy Kuya Memorial Lectures and Mayor Joanne Anderson for an in-conversation piece with Laurence Westgaph, National Museums Liverpool’s historian in residence. The online Liverpool and Slavery Map from 2020 will relaunch over the weekend with new information, detailing places in the city with links to slavery, the legacies of racism, imperialism, and colonialism, and places of remembrance, healing, and empowerment for local communities.​​​​​​​

On Saturday 21 August, a series of performances will be held in the Dr Martin Luther King Jnr Building, followed by a panel talk reflecting on the role of activism past, present and future in the fight against racism and imperialism. There will also be family friendly activities in International Slavery Museum, including craft activities and the chance to see objects from handling collections up close.

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