The Seventh Annual Emancipation Celebration and Cup Match Awards luncheon Sunday at the Dr EF Gordon Memorial Hall clearly pinpointed the connection between Cup Match and Emancipation of Slavery in Bermuda, writes Ira Philip.Master of Ceremonies Senator Cromwell Shakier pointed out the event is aimed at honouring those who have contributed to the Annual Cup Match Classic and to preserving Bermuda's cultural heritage. Head table guests included the Minister of Community Affairs, Michael Weeks and his wife; St. George's Cricket Club president Neil Paynter; former Somerset CC president Richard Scott deputising in the absence abroad of his president Alfred Maybury.The event began with a tribute to former Somerset Cup star Raymond (Jackie) Durham and observance of a moment of silence noting his death at the age of 78 earlier on Sunday morning. He was one of the earlier Heritage honorees; and his brother Stuart Durham was one of the four Somerset stars singled out for honours SundayEmancipation of Slavery occurred August 1, 1834. It was called Freedom Day. It should not be difficult to comprehend the joy and excitement of the former slaves. The rejoicing was unbounded, even though upon Emancipation, slaves had no material possessions, only the clothes on their backs and their indomitable spirits to sustain them. They had no churches, schools, no infrastructure, but they built one, through the friendly unions, or friendly societies they formed in each community enabling them to care for one another, especially the sick and most importantly, to help bury their dead.It was those same “friendly unions” or “societies” now called Lodges that spearheaded on August 1 each year after 1834 the celebration of “Freedom Day.” First there were church services, then parades, picnics, sports and other events that grew indefinably, phenomenally, all packing a soul force that culminated in 1902 into what is now Cup Match.