Edinburgh holds events to remember ‘troubling history’ of slave trade

For the second time Edinburgh has joined cities around the world in holding events to mark a day of remembrance of the “troubling history” of the slave trade.

A minute’s silence at 11am and an evening event featuring speeches and poetry readings were held in the Scottish capital on Friday to mark the annual Unesco International Day of Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.

First observed in Haiti in 1998, the Day of Remembrance is intended to provide “an opportunity for collective consideration of the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of this tragedy”, according to the Unesco website.

August 23 has particular significance as this was the date in 1791 when the uprising by enslaved people in St Domingue (now Haiti) in the Caribbean began; an event which played a crucial role in the eventual abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

The remembrance event was hosted by the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Implementation Group (ESCLRIG), an independent body set up by the city council in 2020 to investigate the city’s past and present relationship with slavery and colonialism.

This evening at the Cornerstone Centre we marked the @UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. We must do everything in our power to ensure that such horrific and degrading exploitation can never happen again.
ℹ https://t.co/vwCIcugOP6 pic.twitter.com/3G2MD7WCFs
— LordProvostEdinburgh (@LordProvostEdin) August 23, 2024

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge, who spoke at the evening event, said: “Today marked an important and poignant opportunity for us to reflect on our past, while reminding us that we must do everything in our power to ensure that such horrific and degrading exploitation can never, ever happen again.

“Back in 2020, the council agreed to address historic racial injustices in Edinburgh and stem modern day discrimination. This led to a comprehensive review, involving a huge amount of research and public consultation, and to a series of recommendations – one of which was for me to make a public apology on behalf of the city of Edinburgh.

“I’m extremely grateful to the members of ESCLRIG for their ongoing commitment and support – helping us to ensure Edinburgh remains a welcoming and diverse city, where people from different backgrounds and beliefs can continue to get on well together.”

Gaining a deeper understanding of major historical events can help foster greater respect & tolerance.

Friday's #RememberSlavery Day is an opportunity to learn about one of the darkest chapters in human history.

More from @UNESCO: https://t.co/bs09cMJPvx pic.twitter.com/21JTljCB8M
— United Nations (@UN) August 23, 2024

Irene Mosota, who became chair of ESCLRIG in March 2023, said the aim was to create “a better, more inclusive future” for the capital.

“As the city of Edinburgh marks the second year of observance of the Unesco International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, it is a chance to inspire and give hope to our future generations as our city faces its troubling history,” she said.

“ESCLRIG has a number of recommendations that require action to address this troubling past. This year must be the one we now make progress in delivering a future that is equitable for those who are forging a life in our city from both the trauma and privilege of our city’s past.

“Though the slave trade has been abolished, its pernicious legacy persists, continuing to perpetuate racism, discrimination, social exclusion, and inequality. We all have the responsibility to confront and address racism promptly and firmly within our city.

“Education is essential in reconciling with the past and is vital to our collective goal of creating a better, more inclusive future for everyone in our city.”