LIVERPOOL - 7 June 2007 - 430 words
Liverpool
hosts Amazing Grace Festival
Far from rejecting their owners' religion, thousands of Afro-Caribbean
slaves embraced it and created a rich musical legacy that
continues to thrive worldwide.
That will be a central message at the Amazing Grace Festival in
Liverpool this month (June 16-17), marking the 200th anniversary
of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade and the 800th
birthday of the city.
"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.
"Borne out of adversity, Gospel music still has the power
to touch people of all faiths and none. We are thrilled to acknowledge
the debt we owe to our forefathers and will use the same medium
to provide inspiration to thousands of people over a packed weekend."
A six-hour Gospel music concert outside the Maritime Museum in
Liverpool (Sat 16 June, 12 noon to 6pm) supported by the Liverpool
Culture Company, will feature artists like DJ Fitz, Premier Radio's
Muyiwa, Dwayne Tryumf, Roger and Sam and the Love and Joy Gospel
Choir to be followed on Sunday (17 June, 2.30pm) by a Transatlantic
Memorial Service 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 and many, many more.
"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 Tani
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 (Sun 17 June, 7.30pm), 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," says Tani.
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.
For more information see: www.liverpoollighthouse.com
Source: Steve Goddard
© Independent Catholic
News 2007
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