African Nova Scotian Summer Celebrations
Nova Scotians will be able to enjoy an exciting line up of summer attractions that will celebrate African Nova Scotian cultural heritage.
The Freedom Schooner Amistad, a re-creation of the nineteenth century schooner, La Amistad, will visit Halifax from Sunday, July 30, to Monday, Aug. 7.
The African Nova Scotian community will officially welcome the Amistad at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at the annual Africville homecoming picnic. The welcome event organized by the Africville Genealogy Society will take place at the former site of the African Nova Scotia community of Africville, now Seaview park. The park is located off Barrington Street in Halifax, on the shores of the Bedford Basin.
The welcome will include singing of the Sierra Leonian national anthem, community greetings, an introduction of the Freedom Schooner Amistad's captain, Eliza Garfield and her crew, and African drumming.
"We are pleased the Freedom Schooner Amistad's captain and crew decided to make the former African Nova Scotian community of Africville it's first stop," said Wayn Hamilton, CEO, Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs. "The schooner's visit to Halifax is one of the most significant events in our community in many years. It is a great opportunity for African Nova Scotians to re-establish cultural ties."
A series of events related to the visit of the Freedom Schooner Amistad include a freedom festival featuring local musicians, youth diversity sails and daily public tours of the ship.
On August 1, Freedom Day, activities to commemorate the abolition of slavery will include a sailpast. Vessels from local yacht clubs will join the schooner in a parade of sail around Halifax Harbour. To view the sailpast route see the African Nova Scotian Affairs website at www.gov.ns.ca/ansa and click on the sailpast link on the home page.
The Amistad will dock at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, located at 1675 Lower Water St. in Halifax. For a copy of the program of events see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/ansa/specialevents.asp and click the program of events link.
For information on daily tours contact 902-424-1839.