Liverpool Gospel Festival Commemorates Songs of Slaves

|PIC1|A festival commemorating the lives of the victims of the slave trade will take place in Liverpool this month.

The Amazing Grace Festival, to be held 16-17 June, will mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, as well as the 800th birthday of the city Liverpool.

"Unlike other commemorative events, the emphasis will not be on the abolitionists but on the victims of the trade - their amazing faith, courage and unquenchable spirit," explains Dr Tani Omideyi, one of the event's organisers and chair of Liverpool Lighthouse, the Urban Gospel Arts Centre. "Faced with awful, degrading conditions they sang songs to lift their spirits."

Thousands of Afro-Caribbean slaves have created a rich musical legacy that continues to thrive worldwide.

A six-hour Gospel music concert outside the Maritime Museum in Liverpool, supported by the Liverpool Culture Company, will feature artists like DJ Fitz (1Xtra BBC), Premier Radio's Muyiwa, Dwayne Tryumf, Roger and Sam and the Love and Joy Gospel Choir. On Sunday, a Transatlantic Memorial Service will be held on the deck of HMS Albion.

Among 500 guests at Sunday's service will be Paul Clark, The Lord Mayor of Liverpool; Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council; Warren Bradley, Leader of City Council; Reverend Justice Ofei Akrofi, Archbishop of West Africa; Vivian Davis Figures, Alabama State Senator; Canon Anthony Hawley; Bishop Errol Brooks, Bishop of North East Caribbean and Aruba, amongst others.

"Through this event we are recognising the historic role this famous city played in the triangular trade, its courage in being the first city in the UK to apologise for its role, and the renewal it is currently experiencing," explains Omideyi. "Friends from the USA, Barbados and Africa complete the representation of the triangle, in particular His Excellency Edwin Pollard the High Commissioner of Barbados to the UK."

The internationally-renowned African Children's Choir will perform at Liverpool Lighthouse, featuring African children aged 7 - 11 years. Many have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease.

"Though victims of a terrible pandemic, they are also the future promise of Africa," said Omideyi.

The event is part of City Sings Gospel - promoting the development of gospel music and arts in Merseyside. It is also an exciting contribution to Liverpool's year as the European Capital City of Culture in 2008.