Costa Rica will host events during the first commemoration of the International Day of People of African Descent, an initiative promoted by the country and formally adopted by the UN in 2020.
The holiday promotes “the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora around the world and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against people of African descent,” according to the United Nations.
The first International Day of People of African Descent will have Costa Rica as its global host, with broadcast events from San José and Cahuita beginning Tuesday.
“This first international commemoration is held in Costa Rica for being the country that promotes this celebration, in compliance with the commitment assumed more than 100 years ago at the First Congress of the Black Peoples of the World, when it was proposed to celebrate the contributions of Afro-American people,” said Vice President Epsy Campbell.
The scheduled events are as follows, per Casa Presidencial:
Celebration of the International Day for People of African Descent (August 31): Authorities will issue a special message. Spokespeople include the Vice President of the Republic of Costa Rica, Epsy Campbell; the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and president of the United Nations Development Group, Amina J. Mohammed; the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet; and the executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr. Natalia Kanem.
An inaugural ceremony will be held at 6 PM at the National Theater in San José, which will include artistic and cultural activities with the participation of national and international groups such as Playing for Change, Rocky Dawuni, the Kawe Group, Afro Fiesta, Hope Masike, Abel Mafuleni, Emanuel Ntaka and the Limón Concert Band.
High-Level Forum (September 1-3): Different sessions will be held to reaffirm the commitment to the recognition and support of Afro-descendant populations.
This series of forums will articulate the voices of people of African descent and those of other key actors in the region and the world around topics such as the rights of people of African descent, combating racism and discrimination, among others.
Given the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, events will have a hybrid format (face-to-face and online) with streaming through the official channels of the Government of Costa Rica, the United Nations and UNFPA.
Closing Ceremony (September 4): Cahuita will host gastronomic and cultural displays.
At 10:30 AM, a ceremony will commemorate the abolition of the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved people. This will occur in Cahuita National Park, where it is believed that in 1710 an expedition of lost Danish galleons were shipwrecked transporting enslaved people of African descent to the Americas.
The event will be live-streamed.
Watch “Beautiful People” video by Rocky Dawuni here:
Latest Stories
-
19 steps for getting over even the most devastating breakup fast
4 hours -
8th Ghana CEO Summit launched with focus on AI transformation, economic diversification
4 hours -
Prof Opoku-Agyemang has not been given a fair appraisal – Ablakwa
4 hours -
Rainstorm wreaks havoc in Keta and Anloga districts, residents count their losses
4 hours -
Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin in Ottawa as countries converge on phasing out problematic plastic uses
4 hours -
Support energy alternatives adoption to sustain businesses – GUTA tells government
4 hours -
11th DRIF opens in Accra with a call on governments to focus on digital inclusion
4 hours -
Stakeholders outline plans at RE4C Coalition’s General Assembly in Accra
5 hours -
Women Need ‘shock observers’ for active political participation – Ex-Bauchi Assembly Member
5 hours -
2024 polls: Stop fighting over positions in Mahama’s next government – Asiedu Nketiah
5 hours -
Although people may not always listen to the lyrics, there’s still a market for rap in Ghana – E.L.
5 hours -
Passengers appeal to transport operators to officially announce new fares
5 hours -
Damongo: About 400 NPP Members resign over Minister’s alleged meddling in chieftaincy affairs
5 hours -
Next NDC government will pay special attention to women – Naana Opoku-Agyemang
6 hours -
Amerado is singing and it’s good he’s doing that – Lyrical Joe
6 hours