St. Eustatius is taking a different approach this year for the annual Emancipation Day Commemoration, referred to as July Day by the island residents. The activities focus on Ancestral memory, community engagement and educational initiatives.
Spiritual Drive Journey
7:00-8:00 AM
Location starting point: Smoke Alley parking lot
| Spiritual Drive Journey In honor of our spiritual and courageous ancestors who fought courageously for our freedom. |
Morning Program. Location: Green & white cove building across Madam Theater
| 9:00 – 9:30 AM | Ceremonial & Official Opening Speeches by Government representatives & Island Council members
Moderator: Mr. Kenneth Cuvalay |
| 10:00 – 10:30 AM | Presentation by Dr. Kimani S. K. Nehusi Associate Professor Africology on Afrikan Civilization Prior to Enslavement”. Including Q&A |
10:30 – 11:00 AM
| Ceremonial Presentation by Dr. Artwell Cain Cultural anthropologist on “Why We Commemorate?” Including Q&A |
| 11:00 – 11:05 AM | Mr. Kenneth Cuvalay Closing of morning session |
| 11:05 AM – 12:00 PM | LUNCH BREAK |
Afternoon Program. Location: Johan Cruyff Court
| 12:00 – 12:30 PM | The performance of children |
| 12:30 – 01:00 PM | Mr. Derrick Simmons Podcast about music (and the musical instruments used) as a vital form of resistance |
01:00 – 01:15 PM | Ms. Nathalie Nede Theme: “From freedom to self-determination” |
On-screen Presentation | Honoring Our Ancestors [Names from the 1863 Emancipation Registry] |
| 01:15 – 02:00 PM | Ms. Xiomara Balentina, Ceremonial community conversation on the November 2026 dignified reburial of the 69 Ancestral remains |
| 02:00 – 02:45 PM | Papa Umpo, Storyteller (Mr. Garfield Young) 1. Life in Afrika before enslavement 2. Meeting an ancestor in a dream, what wisdom would they share 3. Survival after the ships, the food, the herbs, the work, the stories, the music |
| 02:45 – 03:10 PM | SHORT BREAK |
| 03:10– 03:30 PM | Mr. Marvin Hokstam Baapoure Why do we need to develop and have our own educational Afrikan-centered institutions |
| 03:30 – 04:45 PM | Panel discussion & Interactive Discussion Panellists with Audience |
| 04:45 – 05:00 PM | Moderator: Mr. Kenneth Cuvalay Summary of the day program with questions and thanks |
| 05:00 – 06:00 PM | BREAK DJ Sense |
Evening Program 6 to 10 PM
Location: Johan Cruyff Court
The evening cultural manifestation directed by Mr. Taro Merkman of the Statia Roots Festival starts at 5 pm
- 05:00 DJ Sense
- 06:00 Official opening
- 06:15 Poetry & Spoken-word
- 06:35 Aloei Dancers
- 06:45 Statia Roots Festival Showcase
- 07:30 DJ Sense
- 07:35 Stringband
- 07:50 DJ Sense
- 08:00 Rebels Band HD
- 08:45 DJ Sense
- 08:50 Encore Band
- 09:30 Closing Remarks
- 09:40 DJ Sense
- 10:00 End of Program
Statia July Day 2026 is made possible by funding from the St. Eustatius Government and the Slavery Memorial Fund.
