As the public is aware, earlier this year, the Government renamed the Somers Day holiday Mary Prince Day. The change takes effect this year. Mary Prince was first enslaved woman in the British West Indies to give a formal account of her life. Her autobiography was considered so authentic and poignant that it contributed to the abolition of slavery in Bermuda and the British Caribbean.

Minister Foggo said, “Emancipation Day is traditionally observed on the first day of the Cup Match holiday. This year, for the first time in our history, on the second day of the holiday, our community will celebrate a day named for one of Bermuda’s National Heroes – Mary Prince.”

The Minister continued, “This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic our typical historical and sporting observances must be conducted slightly differently than in the past.

“Instead of in-person events and gatherings, the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs will showcase a series of events and activities online, such as lectures, films, webinars and other creative offerings to honour Emancipation Day, Mary Prince Day and the Cup Match Cricket Classic.

“But more specifically as it relates to the Cup Match holiday, we are very excited about our plans for recognising the holiday. To that end, the Government in partnership with Somerset Cricket Club and St. George’s Cricket Club, our creative community, and leading sports figures have come together to showcase and honour the historical and cultural significance of Cup Match.

“As a snapshot of what the public can expect, we have a full two-day line-up of Community and Cultural Affairs’ and CITV programming which includes social media partnerships engaging the community about the uniqueness of Cup Match, past footage of matches, and interviews with past and present players. We will also release a full schedule of CITV's offerings closer to the date. So although the two-day cricket match won’t take place, our holiday observances will. And we believe we have the right mix of events to ensure a memorable virtual holiday experience.”

Events taking place celebrating Emancipation Day, Mary Prince Day and Cup Match are as follows:

THURSDAY 16 JULY

Titan Express sponsored by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Presents:
“Emancipation Stories of Mary Prince and the Friendly Societies”

Location: Zoom Webinar
Time: 8 pm
Cost: $10
Details: Purchase tickets online at www.titantoursbermuda.com
Details: Call/WhatsApp 504-7749 or email blessedbabe77@hotmail.com to purchase tickets

TUESDAY 21 JULY

Treasures of Bermuda Tours sponsored by Department of Libraries and Archives and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Presents:

Art of Resistance Tour: From Misery to Memorials, Uncovering the History of the Art”

Location: Departs from Front Street
Time: TBA
Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for seniors and students
Details: Call/WhatsApp 504-7749 or email blessedbabe77@hotmail.com to purchase tickets

THURSDAY 23 JULY

Titan Express sponsored by the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Presents:
“Emancipation Stories of Mary Prince and the Friendly Societies”

Location: Zoom Webinar
Time: 8 pm
Cost: $10
Details: Purchase tickets online at www.titantoursbermuda.com

SATURDAY 25 JULY

Treasures of Bermuda Tours sponsored by Department of Libraries and Archives and Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Presents:
“Exploring Bermuda’s Black Mecca”

Location: Princess Street to Union Street
Time: 10:30 AM
Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for seniors and students
Details: Call/WhatsApp 504-7749 or email blessedbabe77@hotmail.com to purchase tickets

MONDAY 27 JULY

Bermuda Cup Match Conversations Physical Distancing Edition ~ Hosted by the Department of Communications:

The 90 minute programme will re-live some of the excitement of previous games, remind viewers of the importance of the holiday and pay homage to some of the highlights and stars of previous games.

Date: Monday 27 July 2020

THURSDAY 30 JULY – EMANCIPATION DAY

CITV CUP MATCH PROGRAMMING

All day on the Government Television station

Includes:

Cup Match Greeting from Premier David Burt
Cup Match Greeting from Minister Lovitta Foggo
Historical Mary Prince and Emancipation Day documentaries and lectures
Bermemes x Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Virtual Cup Match Celebrations:

Bermemes and the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs are teaming up for Cup Match.

Method Media Cricket Interviews:

Ever watched Cup Match and wondered what gives the players motivation, what makes them tick, how they feel moments before first ball on Emancipation Day, what the dynamic of the crowd does during a half century, a century? Documentary filmmaker Milton Raposo will be sitting down a number of Cup Match's greatest to talk about cricket, the holiday, and how it feels to represent Emancipation for Bermuda. Listening to them speak might be just as important as watching them play.

FRIDAY 31 JULY – MARY PRINCE DAY

CITV CUP MATCH PROGRAMMING

All day on the Government Television station

Includes:

Cup Match Classic highlights from previous years
Interviews with past players
Historical documentaries and lectures

Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Presents:

“Mary Prince and the Struggle for Freedom: A Talk by Dr. Clarence V. H. Maxwell”

Location: www.communityandculture.bm or Bermuda Culture YouTube Channel
Details: On 1 August 1834 two Abolition Acts came into force, amendments to the Parliamentary Emancipation Act passed the previous year. The first was an emancipation act; the second ended civil disabilities based on race. This is a story of the struggle for these Acts and the role Mary Prince played in that struggle.

SATURDAY 8 AUGUST

Department of Libraries and Archives in collaboration with Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and Friends of the Bermuda National Library Presents:

“Stories We Tell Our Children: A Webinar”
Dr. Theodore Francis: “Black Resistance”
Dr. Clarence V.H. Maxwell: “Pre-Enslavement Bermuda”
Dr. Quito Swan: “Black Power Movement”

Time: 12 pm to 1:30 pm
Cost: Free
Details: Registration opens 12th July by emailing srp@bnl.bm