important day the public is invited to King's Square in St. George's to witness dramatic readings, music and dance.

The ceremony, which will be held on Tuesday, July 29 at 7.30 p.m., promises to be full of excitement and lots history.

Participants will include members of the clergy, Brass Praise, Wendell `Shine' Hayward, The National Dance Theatre of Bermuda, The Men-en Chorale and the Salvational Army Divisional Band which is under the direction of Major Warren Jones.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs, which is sponsoring the event along with the Corporation of St. George's, said: "This particular service has been going on for eight or nine years and the main objective is to bring a little history to life, to remind ourselves of a segment of our history and to highlight the importance and value of freedom.

"It was a vehicle in which we could also disseminate historical information.'' She added: "Through dramatic readings, we talk about some of the things that were connected with the abolition of slavery, we may also recap some of the Parliamentary acts that were connected with it.

"We also use sermons from the period that were written for the celebration of emancipation.'' The spokesperson also said some of the experiences of some of the slaves, their feelings about freedom, and how they celebrated the day may also be discussed but "it varies from year to year''.

This year the celebration will make references to the roles of the Friendly Societies and lodges.

"Their roles were of extreme importance to the welfare of ex-slaves. This is important because their (ex-slaves) new type of life was affected by severe economic pressures triggered by emancipation, depressed trade, shipping, and a serious housing crisis. And with their new status they were no longer living in their slave masters' dwellings.

"It was the friendly societies that helped the emancipated slaves.'' Therefore, in the printed programme there is mention of the work of the Friendly Societies and lodges.

"In past years, we have also pointed out some slave sites that people might like to visit, for instance the slave graveyard in St. Peter's Church which was last year beautifully cleaned up and the slave graveyard and the gallery inside the church, the church in Cobb's Hill, Warwick which was built by slaves, and the Marsden Methodist church near John Smith's Bay, which has a memorial dedicated to Joshua Marsden.

"That church stands as a memorial to Joshua Marsden, who preached to slaves.

People can also visit the slave gallery in St. Paul's Church.'' The spokesperson also said dance is incorporate into the programme and this year the National Dance Theatre under the direction of Conchita Ming will be performing a dance entitled "Everybody Rejoice''.

Members of the clergy will be praying for better human relations, for the family, Government, the loyal Opposition and Bermuda and for release from any form of bondage.

"We will also hear the reading of the proclamation by the Premier of Bermuda, Pamela Gordon,'' the spokesperson said. "We encourage everyone to attend this celebration, of what was one of the most important moments in Bermuda history.

It is something to which they can bring the family.'' Heritage Night celebrations will also be going on after the Emancipation Ceremony ends with regular tours that go around the town using professional guides.

Other activities that the kids can look forward to is face painting and free tattoos along with a fun castle and train rides over to Ordnance Island.

Vendors will be set up in the Square with food and arts and crafts. Heritage Nights end at 10 p.m.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE -- In 1991, librarian Grace Rawlins and former head librarian Cyril Packwood took part in a re-enactment during the Emancipation Service in St. George's.