Our Stories of Slavery: Aberdeen and America
Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade
2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the parliamentary Abolition of the Slave Trade and the Arts Development Team, working in partnership with Museums and Galleries colleagues and University of Aberdeen, will commemorate the bicentenary with a series of events and activities throughout Aberdeen.
Our project focuses on the story of a local child, Peter Williamson, known as ‘Indian Peter’, who was one of up to 700 kidnapped in Aberdeen between 1735 – 1750 and transported to America as an indentured slave. His is a colourful story, but one which is relatively unknown and not widely acknowledged, celebrated or debated in the City. Using this story, and the archives at University of Aberdeen, a range of activities including storytelling, re-enactments, filmmaking and craft workshops will publicise Aberdeen’s role in the slave trade and highlight continuing slavery activity throughout the world. We will use the historical local context to capture the imagination, and create some exciting artworks as a response.
Events and activities will take place in the Tolbooth, WhiteSpace, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Aberdeen Maritime Museum, as well as Community Centres throughout the City.
Contact
WhiteSpace (01224) 523640 for a full programme of activities and events. Funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
