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(海角在线免费) - Seychelles marked its inaugural event to celebrate the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery with an exhibition at the Venn鈥檚 Town Cultural Landscape at Sans Soucis on Monday

The event offered visitors a journey through the archipelago鈥檚 history with slavery and its aftermath, during the French and later British colonial periods.

David Andre, secretary general of the Seychelles National Institute for Culture, Heritage, and the Arts (SNICHA), led a delegation through the exhibition during an open day. The event was organised by the Seychelles National Heritage Resource Council (SNHRC) in collaboration with the National Archives.

David Andre viewing the exhibition (Seychelles Nation) Photo license: All Rights Reserved

Venn鈥檚 Town, an iconic site in Seychelles' history, was the first educational institution established for the children of liberated slaves. Officially opened on March 20, 1876, it is located in the verdant hills of Sans Soucis in the northwest of Mahe, the main island. Founded by the Christian Missionary Society, the institution was named after Anglican evangelist Henry Venn and remained operational until its closure in 1889.

鈥淲e decided to hold the event here because this site is intrinsically linked to freed slaves. It is where liberated children came to attend industrial school,鈥� explained SNHRC researcher Therese Jeremie during an interview with the press.

Originally opened in 1875, Venn鈥檚 Town was more than just a school; it was a self-sustaining settlement. The site included plantations of vanilla and patchouli, buildings for education, dormitories, a laundry, and even a cemetery, the remnants of which can still be seen today.

The ruins of Venn's Town (Seychelles Nation)听Photo license:听All Rights Reserved

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鈥淲hat we are showing today is what happened after the abolition of slavery here in Seychelles, which happened in 1835, as well as showing what happened to the children who brought here after being rescued by British vessels,鈥� Jeremie added.

Neighbouring Mauritius also has a site established for freed slave children.

鈥淥urs was different, the children came here to study, where they learnt languages - which is where our Creole nation was born,鈥� she said.

The exhibition tells the harrowing tales of slavery in Seychelles听(Seychelles Nation)听Photo license:听All Rights Reserved

听During their time at the school, the children planted crops to sustain the institution.

鈥淭hey planted things like cocoa, which they used and also sold in order to contribute to the school鈥檚 upkeep,鈥� Jeremie said.

While this year鈥檚 activities were low-key, Jeremie revealed plans for larger celebrations in August next year to commemorate the abolition of slavery.

SNHRC researcher Therese Jeremie (Seychelles Nation)听Photo license:听All Rights Reserved

Meanwhile, the SNHRC aims to enhance the visitor experience by expanding exhibits and gathering additional historical information.

鈥淪ince we were previously a British Indian Ocean Territory, we are working with Britain to gather more information through continuous research which we will make public in different ways, including publications,鈥� she concluded.