The premier New York area celebration of the 100thanniversary of the birthday of the late Dr Eric Williams, first Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ,will take place today from 6 pm to 11 pm,at Brooklyn Children's Museum, New York. CWProductions, which over the past four years has produced a number of events in honour of Dr Williams, has taken the lead in organising this centennial event. Dr Williams was a quintessential Renaissance man: author, scholar, politician and revolutionary leader. Armed with a doctorate from Oxford University in England, he taught at Howard University and among his many writings, his seminal work-Capitalism and Slavery-remains required reading for all students of slavery and of Colonial and Caribbean history. He was, however, not without contradictions and the evening's programme provides ample opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of this celebrated and gifted man.
Today's programme will include a photo exhibition, a screening of the film Historia Exemplum Proponit-Chronicles of the Life of Dr Eric Williams, narrated by media personality Rennie Bishop, and an address by Dr Nigel Westmaas, Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Hamilton College, as well as a live performance of God Bless our Nation by Lord Baker. T&T Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who was originally scheduled to deliver the feature address, will be represented by Dr Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Dr Neil Parsan, Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States.
The Brooklyn Children's Museum is located at 145 Brooklyn Avenue in Brooklyn and is accessible by both bus and subway. Detailed directions by car, subway & bus are attached. The museum's telephone number is(718) 735-4400.