Indianapolis International Film Festival 2009

A WEEK OF CELEBRATIONS:REMEMBERING OUR PAST, PRESERVING OUR FUTURE Emancipation Day is one of Ghana's biggest celebrations and possibly Africa's most prestigious cultural event and major tourist attraction. One day the same will be said of the Emancipation Celebrations in St. Croix. Our Commemorations seek to sensitize, to properly relate the history of our African ancestors, and to promote the understanding of how to correlate our past to contemporary politics. Emancipation Day - It was this radically defined moment of Crucian Emancipation that fed hope to Black people in despair. Marcus Mosiah Garvey admonished us, 'A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots.' General Buddhoe, ignited within us the spirit to claim social enhancement, economic enrichment and political empowerment with the deep rooted command: 'Go down Moses--way down to the Crucian land, and tell Governor General Von Scholten to let my people go'. Today we stand on the shoulders of great men and women who gave us a new beginning. With eternal gratitude, and veneration, we honor our heroes.'Journey Through Emancipation 2007' documents a week of historical commemorations that pay tribute to our ancestors who took a stand against slavery on July 3, 1848. The creative performances and other activities allow U. S. Virgin Islanders to pay homage to traditions honoring the liberation of the spirit, mind, and body through the Sacred Bamboola Dance, Donkey Races, Tea Meeting, Quadrille Dance, History Lectures, Quelbe Music and a powerful Re-Enactment Program.