Exhibition and Sale of ‘Abolition’ Postage Stamps, Books This Saturday

The public is invited to view an exhibition on the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Africans, and purchase recently released (June 2007) postage stamps highlighting the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Africans.

The activities, to be held at the Sovereign Centre (across the road from the Liguanea Post Mall that houses the Liguanea Post Office) on Saturday, July 28, 2007, are part of the continuing thrust of the Jamaica National Bicentenary Committee (JNBC), to highlight the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Africans to Jamaica. Festivities begin at 10 am and continue until 6 pm.

As part of the event, postage stamps and philatelic souvenirs, books, and art will be on sale. Films and documentaries on slavery may be viewed, while leading authors will be available for book signing. The entertainment package showcases Mutabaruka and drumming by the Kingston Drummers.

Speakers include Professor Verene Shepherd, Chairman of the (JNBC) which was established to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Africans.

Miss Jamaica Universe 2007, Zahra Redwood, will be on spot to open the exhibition, and Dr. Orville Taylor, UWI Lecturer and media commentator, will officially launch a publication entitled ‘Freedom Delayed’. A compact, exercise book-sized pamphlet, ‘Freedom Delayed’ was produced by the JNBC with sponsorship from the CHASE Fund as well as publishers Ian Randle and UNESCO. It provides relevant educational materials for schools with information on aspects of slavery and even includes excerpts of the Abolition Act, and thus should be well appreciated by students and their teachers.

The Ministry of Education will assist in distributing these to secondary schools throughout Jamaica. For further information, please contact the JNBC Secretariat at Tel: 970-4441.

The ‘Abolition’ postage stamps are available at all post offices; the philatelic souvenirs can be sourced at the Central Sorting Office, as well as the following post offices: Liguanea, Norman Manley International Airport Ocho Rios, Falmouth and Montego Bay #1.