On 25 March, Kirklees College students and staff gathered at Harewood House for a powerful, student‑created ceremony marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
The event marked the college’s third annual Slavery Remembrance Ceremony, which is usually held at Kirklees College. This year, students were invited to hold it at Harewood House following sustained collaborative work with the Harewood House Learning Team.
This is the first ceremony of its kind to be held at an English stately home built on the profits of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, directly addressing and honouring the past while using education and remembrance to help shape a more inclusive and responsible future.
Hosted in partnership with the Harewood House Trust and Spectacular Arts, the event brought together education, creativity and rich, meaningful dialogue.
Staff proud of Kirklees College’s involvement in such an important cause
Kirklees College Principal and Chief Executive Palvinder Singh said: “It was great seeing the Kirklees College students at this event, really living up to the college’s values of kindness, unity and excellence, and our commitment to being an actively anti-racist organisation.
“Together, we can all celebrate hope and work towards a brighter tomorrow, fighting racial inequalities and modern slavery.”
Jax Lovelock, Interim Personal Development Manager at Kirklees College, added: “Our students didn’t simply take part, they created and led the ceremony, honouring the names of enslaved people, including those from the Lascelles Thickett Plantation, with dignity, care and purpose, through art, poetry, and creative media.
“This was a profoundly moving and inspiring day, and we remain committed to continuing this important and deeply meaningful work to drive change and advance equity both within Kirklees College and beyond.”
More information about the event
Marked on 25 March every year since 2008, the day honours and remembers those who suffered and died as a consequence of what has been called “The worst violation of human rights in history” in which more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims.
Kirklees College, in partnership with Sharon de Leonardis (founder of Spectacular Arts), and the Harewood House Trust, raises awareness and honours the memory of heroes who were enslaved over a period of nearly 500 years.
The aim is to inspire acts of remembrance throughout the UK and beyond, educating our communities of the authentic history that pre and post-dates African Enslavement, thereby putting it in its correct historical context.