A week of events will bring communities together to reflect on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade. New activities for young people are also planned as the museum redevelopment continues.
Liverpool will commemorate Slavery Remembrance Day this August with a diverse program of events aimed at fostering resilience, remembrance, and community engagement. Scheduled to run from August 17 to August 23, the initiative will bring together residents, artists, researchers, and community organizations to reflect on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade and honor the lives and experiences of enslaved people. The program features a variety of activities, including public lectures, workshops, performances, and the annual Walk of Remembrance, which invites citizens across the city to participate in a collective act of solidarity.
A significant addition for 2026 is the Slavery Remembrance Summer School, a week-long project designed specifically for young people between the ages of 12 and 19. This educational effort takes place while the International Slavery Museum remains closed for an extensive redevelopment project.
As part of the ongoing waterfront transformation, the museum is expected to reopen to the public in 2029. The current period of closure has provided an opportunity to share and preserve essential stories and histories at the heart of the museum's mission. A central feature of this year’s commemoration is the Dorothy Kuya Slavery Remembrance Memorial Lecture, to be held at Liverpool Town Hall on August 21. Featuring acclaimed scholar and cultural historian Anita Gonzalez, the lecture honors the legacy of the late Dorothy Kuya, a prominent Liverpool educator and dedicated anti-racism campaigner. This annual event continues Kuya’s commitment to using education and public engagement as tools to challenge systemic injustice.
