In order to commemorate the International Day for Monument and Sites, the Monument and Relics Commission (MRC) on Wednesday 18 April 2018 guided nine school heritage clubs in Freetown through historic sites in the City.
The Communication and Outreach Officer of the MRC, Mohamed Farray Kargbo said this is the second time Sierra Leone is joining the world to commemorate the day on the theme: “Heritage for Generations”. Kargbo said the theme was significant to Sierra Leone cultural heritage because it help contribute to social cohesion.
Children are being considered as the leaders of tomorrow. They will serve as an effective tool on preserving the country’s culture and heritage, Kargbo noted adding that they decided to take these children on an historic tour as they will serve as ambassadors to other children.
Walking from the National Museum, which lays opposite the Cotton Tree, which is being overlooked by the Fort Thornton or State House, the MRC tour guide took the pupils down to the King Jimmy Market where the De Ruyter Stone lies. A few walk from there the pupils met the Kings Yard Gate. Christianity has a very significant tie to the history of Sierra Leone therefore the tour guard did not delay to point out some historic church buildings such as the Maroon Church as well as the St. George’s Cathedral which lay in the centre of the city of Freetown. These were among the sites that the Heritage Clubs visited.
At every stage, the MRC tour guide narrated historical facts tied to these sites.
The International Day for Monuments and Sites is a Day commemorated on 18 April every year in order to raise awareness about the diversity of cultural heritage in a country, their vulnerability and the effort needed for their preservation.
Kargbo noted that raising awareness on this day enables the public to know about the sites and motivate them to help preserve the sites; it also draws government attention to the sites and helps promote cultural tourism. EBD/18/4/18
By Edna Browne-Dauphine
Thursday April 19, 2018.
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