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VOICES
Reflections on the Atlantic Slave Triangle: 1807-2007
An insightful and intriguing photo-essay book focusing on the legacy of the Atlantic slave trade.
TRACING the legacy of the evil Atlantic Slave Triangle is the focus of a new book planned for 2007 to coincide with the anniversary of 200 years since the formal abolition of the commercial aspects of slavery in the UK.
It will put the focus in particular on that element of the trade that was conducted between West Africa and the USA, through the conduits of major European seaports like Bristol and Liverpool in the UK and others in France such as Marseille and Lisbon in Portugal. It has significance for a wide range of communities and peoples even to this 21st century.
The planned book - called VOICES - will be a classic example of photojournalism as well as in some ways a social documentary. It will feature people from those different countries - and separated by both oceans and cultures - telling stories of how slavery still influences their thoughts and actions and how it impacts on their community.
It will take the form of specific chapters that will 'flow' along the routes that made up that villainous triangle between Africa, the USA and Britain.
VOICES will reflect the stories of people caught up in the slave trade, and told through a series of contemporary, thought provoking essays by their descendents or others involved in groups dedicated to informing and educating society about the evils of slavery and the consequences of the Atlantic Triangular trade and its impact even today.
These essays will form the 'binding' for the essential visual concept of the book that will feature vivid and lively photographic panoramic spreads and portraits of the descendents of those who suffered from slavery or played a role in some way or other all those years ago.
Its pivotal focus will be the identical sculptures that form the core of the international ?Reconciliation? project that are or will be sited in the cities of Cotonou in the West African Republic of Benin, Richmond in the southern state of Virginia in the USA and Liverpool in the UK.
VOICES will look at the legacy of the slave trade that swept between Benin in Africa through to Richmond in the USA and orchestrated in part by British merchants in Liverpool in the UK who commandeered the ships and the privateers used to transport people.
Just like the 'Reconciliation' sculpture project - driven by the wonderful creations of artist Stephen Broadbent and supported by organisations and academic institutions in Benin, the UK and the USA - the book will confront the effects of slavery in Africa, the Americas and Europe.
It will draw no conclusions or offer opinions other than those of the contributors - but will hopefully stimulate ongoing debate - and hopefully become a reference work for future generations as a testament to an historical sequence that runs from 'horror to hope and eventual harmony'.