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Celebrating the life of a pioneering abolitionist
A one-day tour of key sites in the story of the transatlantic slave trade in Bristol featuring figures from the worlds of film, theatre, politics and religion is taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of a pioneering abolitionist.
Born into slavery in Maryland in around 1818, Frederick Douglass was a prominent activist, author and public speaker who became a leader in the abolitionist movement seeking to end slavery, and visited Bristol in 1846.
Douglass’ legacy served as an inspiration to the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and continues to resonate today, with his name referenced in a speech by US president Donald Trump for Black History Month 2017.
Starting in St Paul’s, his footsteps through Bristol will be recreated with people from the city and further afield performing pieces by Bristol writer Edson Burton inspired by Douglass’ speeches and writings.
Throughout the course of the day, those embodying the spirit of Douglass through his words will be:
- Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the most senior black female cleric in the Church of England
- Kwame Kwei Armah, artistic director of London’s Young Vic and the first African-Caribbean director to run a major British theatre
- Marvin Rees, the first European city mayor of black African-Caribbean descent
- Danny Sapani, an actor who has appeared in the likes of Black Panther and The Crown
- Vanessa Kisuule, a writer, performer and Bristol’s new City Poet
- Carleen Anderson, an American soul singer
The event is free and takes place at various locations across Bristol on Monday, May 28:
8.15am: Alfred Fagon Statue, Grosvenor Road Triangle, St Paul’s
10am: The Seven Stars, Thomas Lane
10.30am: Queen Square
11am Marsh Street
Midday: Bristol Cathedral (inside)
1pm City Hall (outside)
2pm: Wills Memorial Building
There will be a walking tour to each location led by Edson Burton and Bristol Old Vic artistic director Tom Morris. If you would like to join them for the full tour, register at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/frederick-douglass-an-abolitionist-returns-to-bristol-tickets-46142823427
Each location is also a stand-alone event for anyone who would like to experience some parts of the day only.
For more information, visit www.bristololdvic.org.uk/whats-on/frederick-douglass-an-abolitionist-returns-to-bristol
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