Activities and events 2016:

1. UNESCO Reactive Monitoring Mission for Le Morne Cultural Landscape (27th January - 02nd February 2016)

2. 181st Anniversary for the Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery at Le Morne on 1st February 2016

3. Visit of His Excellency the President of Republic of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina at the International Slave Route Monument (13th March 2016)

In the context of the 48th Anniversary of Independence in the Republic of Mauritius.

Main Activities 2015:

1. International Seminar on Slavery 2015

• Comparative Perspectives on Resistance and Resilience in Slave and post-emancipation Societies

According to the Truth and Justice Recommendations, an International Scientific Conference on Slavery is to be held every three years or so to highlight recent research on slavery and make it available to the public. As 2015 is also the 300th Anniversary of French colonization of Mauritius and the 180th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, a series of activities were planned by Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund in this context.

An International Seminar was one of the activities organized by Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund in collaboration with the University of Mauritius, Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture and Creole Speaking Union. This seminar has brought together scholars and members of the community to reflect on new historical research and ideas and new ways of achieving the goal of social justice. This seminar has been innovative as it aim was to encourage discussion among scholars and community members on resistance, resilience and accommodation of slaves, ex-slaves, descendants and others.

In addition, the following panel exhibitions have been organized :

1. panels' exhibition examining contemporary resilience strategies of communities descendent from slavery and other forms of unfree labour and family history; and

2. Roaming exhibition of panels from UNESCO on theme "Lest We Forget – The Triumph over Slavery" whose objective is to contribute to breaking the silence surrounding slave trade and slavery and create awareness and a better understanding of the causes, forms of operation, issues and consequences of slavery in the world. Click on the following link for more information:

2. 1st Term School Holiday

• Educational visit for Primary School student (STD 3 and 4) of Le Morne Government School at Beekrumsingh Ramlallah Interpretation Centre, Port Louis and Nelson Mandela Centre for African Culture, La Tour Koenig

3. International Day for Monuments and Sites

April 18 is annually observed as the International Day for Monuments and Sites. It aims to bring global attention to the need to conserve monuments and sites as our cultural heritage and to "celebrate the diversity of this heritage". Please click on the following for more information on this event:

Activities organized by Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund in this context:

• 1. Free full guided visit on Le Morne Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site upon advance booking (by latest 17th April 2015 at 15hrs45) on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April from 09hrs to 16hrs. Please contact the office for more information.
• 2. Guided visit at the International Slave Route Monument on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th April from 09hrs to 16hrs.
• 3. Exhibition of photos of some of the African World's Natural and Cultural Heritage at the International Slave Route Monument
• 4. Talk and activities with students of Standard V and VI of Le Morne Government School at Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund office, Le Morne village.

4. World Environment Day 2015 –"Anou Pran Kont Nou Leritaz"

5. Outreach in Rodrigues Island

The Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund was invited by the Commission of Arts and Culture for an outreach program from the 2nd of September to 9th of September 2015 in Rodrigues Island; in view of creating awareness and educate the younger generation about Le Morne Cultural Landscape. The presentations were delivered to the children of Standard 5 as well as Standard 6 in 15 Primary Schools.

6. Basic Conservation and Heritage Inventory course

This stand-alone module was a one week intensive training (15th – 23rd September 2015) at Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund office organised by the Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund in collaboration with the University of Mauritius with the objectives to:

• To carry out conservation of a number of archaeological artifacts from excavations currently housed in Le Morne World Heritage Site
• To teach fundamental principles of conservation to staff of Heritage Institutions
• To create a network of staff interested in conservation work and who would be able to continue with conservation and collection maintenance work
• To draw a short term conservation strategy for the collections and prepare a follow up programme for the participants

7. Artisanal Fair at Tamarin (03rd – 04th October 2015)

For the uplifting of local economic development of the community of Le Morne.

8. Outing for Senior Citizens of Le Morne

This activity was organised in the context of the International Day of Older Persons annually observed on 01st October. The Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund seized this opportunity to recognize and acknowledge the outstanding contribution of the Senior Citizens of Le Morne village in the production of history and heritage pertaining to the Le Morne Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site through their continued participation in oral history research. The visit took at the Aapravasi Ghat Interpretation Centre and World Heritage Site followed by a lunch on Albion public beach on Friday 16th October 2015.

9. "La Foire des Entrepreneurs" at Grand Baie in the context of the Festival International Kreol (21th November 2015)

An opportunity for the local community of Le Morne to showcase and sell their artisanal products to Mauritian and tourists.

10. Training workshop on Identifying, Recording and Understanding of Artifacts (30th November to 4th December 2015)

This training workshop on Identifying, Recording and Understanding of Artefacts allowed a firsthand treatment of artefacts. The training also provided the basic knowledge and approach to artefacts.
The workshop was taught by Mrs Jayhsree Mungur-Medhi, Archaeologist at Le Morne Heritage Trust Fund, Site Office. Participants from the different heritage institutions and students from the University of Mauritius attended the training.
A certificate of attendance was awarded to participants.

11. Yearly Christmas celebration in collaboration with the Le Morne Village Council (19th December 2015)

Research part

Archaeological excavation at Macondé