Bristol Legacy Foundation to Participate in International Symposium on Slavery and Restorative Justice
We are pleased to announce that the Bristol Legacy Foundation (BLF) will be participating in the upcoming International Meetings on the Consequences of Slavery and Restorative Justice, taking place from 8th to 11th May 2025.. Organised by La Coque Nomade Fraternité, this significant event gathers international partners to examine the legacies of the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans (TTEA) and advance the global movement for reparatory justice.
La Coque Nomade Fraternité was created in January 2016. It is made up of more than 370 members and 60 volunteers. Its goal is to continue the work initiated by the Anneaux de la Fraternité Association by highlighting cultural projects on the themes of memory, the history of the slave trade, and its legacies.
(Right to Left): Dieudonné Boutrin (Co-founder, LCN); Asher Craig (Chair, BLF) in Nantes, France during the Eurocities Hub Peer Learning Visit in 2024.
Over the past year, BLF has been working collaboratively with La Coque Nomade Fraternité, a France-based organisation, to connect cities and countries with shared histories of TTEA. Together, we have convened two international roundtables, supported by Bristol City Council’s International Office, which brought together representatives from Europe, the USA, and the UK. These gatherings have laid the groundwork for future cross-border partnerships and knowledge exchange.
We’re also proud to share that BLF Chair, Asher Craig, will feature in the symposium’s programme, representing Bristol’s leadership in municipal reparatory work.
Notably, the symposium coincides with the presence of the Mast of Fraternity, an artistic installation based on the mast of a ship, rooted in memory and healing. Its presence complements the Cascade Steps Memorial, the BLF’s own tribute to those affected by TTEA, symbolising our city’s commitment to remembrance and justice.
“The choice of the Mast, reminiscent of a sailing ship, represents a powerful symbol. Yesterday, it was used to colonize. Tomorrow, it will serve to unite. And in Nantes, the main French commercial port in colonial history, we will showcase the evolution of the world and the desire for love between peoples, to move toward living well together and freedom for all.”
The symposium will take place from the 8th - 11th of May. It will bring together international experts, descendants and local residents to explore the legacy of the Transatlantic Trafficking of Enslaved Africans.
Asher will be speaking on Saturday, the 10th of May:
From 9:30 am - 12:30 pm on the Testimonies of Descendants Panel
From 2:30 pm - 6:30 pm on the Presentation of the Mast of Fraternity and Remembrance
Both panels will be taking place at Église Protestante Unie de Loire-Atlantique (address below).