The Virgin Islands Emancipation Exhibition officially opened on Monday, August 12, 2024 at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza. Photo: GIS

Bernadine A. Louis, Director of the Virgin Islands Studies Institute said the exhibition has already proven to be educational and inviting as many people who have come to view it have expressed how enthralled they are by it. Photo: GIS

In attendance at the opening ceremony were Governor Daniel Pruce, Premier and Minister for Finance Honourable Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce Hodge-Smith (R4). Photo: GIS

The exhibition is a joint venture between the Department of Culture and the Virgin Islands Studies Institute. 

In attendance at the opening ceremony were Governor Daniel Pruce, Premier and Minister for Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) and Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4).

Over 60 panels make up Emancipation Exhibition- Dr Katherine A. Smith 

“The exhibition is quite a significant one, there are over 60 panels,” Director of Culture, Dr Katherine A. Smith said.

The exhibition begins with the Abolition Act, flowing into the ways Virgin Islanders celebrated their emancipation and goes into the legacy and meaning of enslavement and freedom today. 

Also part of the exhibition are the two free villages of Long Look and Kingstown, Miss BVI and the VI’s Freedom Fighters. 

“We have several areas and we’re inviting everyone to visit our exhibition, this will become a traveling exhibition shortly and look at the story that is being told, absorb it, take it in, because this is just the beginning of an effort to educate more…about a heritage that accompanies our Emancipation Festival,” Dr Smith said. 

Emancipation Exhibition is enlightening- Bernadine A. Louis 

Meanwhile, Bernadine A. Louis, Director of the Virgin Islands Studies Institute, said the exhibition has already proven to be educational and inviting as many people who have come to view it have expressed how enthralled they are by it. 

“People are saying they didn't know that and they seem to be learning quite a lot and that’s wonderful. In completing the research and planning the various elements of the exhibition, we found the exercise to be both engaging and enlightening and we trust that you the viewers will be equally enlightened and engaged as you view the various panels,” she said. 

Louis called the exhibition awesome, describing it as colourful and well done. 

The Emancipation Exhibition will close at the Sir Olva Georges Plaza on August 31, 2024, at the end of Heritage Month.