Unique monument in Europe, the Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery entered the history of the slave trade in the city and honors the struggles of yesterday and today. This monument, realization of the City of Nantes, with the support of Nantes Métropole, the Pays de la Loire Region and the Loire-Atlantique Department, will be inaugurated on the occasion of the international day of remembrance for victims of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, March 25.
On a revegetated esplanade, 2 000 commemorative plaques recall the slave trade shippings that started from Nantes as well as the major trading posts in Africa and in America.
Designed by the internationally renowned artist Krzystof Wodiczko and by the architect Julian Bonder, this memorial museum was conceived as an urban, a political and an art project. It is a genuine call to us all to remember past struggles in order to project ourselves into the future, fighting against all modern forms of slavery and denial of human rights in order to build a more united world. Homage to the millions of victims of the slave trade and slavery, homage to those who stood up against this crime, homage to the struggles of the past and the present, the memorial carries a universal message of solidarity and brotherhood.
Today, the United Nations Organisation and the International Labour Organisation estimate that 200 to 250 million people are victims of debt bondage, forced marriages, prostitution and forced labour, including a considerable number of children.
Lilian Thuram, former football player at the origin of a foundation against racism, Christiane Taubira, Guyanese MP and Claire Brisset, former children rights protector, will be present at the inauguration of the Memorial. More...
Opening to the public on Sunday 25th of March from 3pm.
http://www.spidh.org/uploads/media/Memorial_Programme.pdf
The Memorial website : http://memorial.nantes.fr
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