Magdalene College will be contributing to the celebrations by the City and University of Cambridge of the Bicentenary of the Act to abolish the Atlantic slave trade by commemorating in particular the work of Dr Peter Peckard, Master, 1781-1797, and Vice-Chancellor, 1784, in promoting the cause of abolition.
On Thursday, 15 February, a Memorial Evensong for Dr Peckard and other Magdalene campaigners for human rights will be held in the College Chapel at 6.15 p.m.
On Friday, 16 February, a symposium on Slavery past and present will be held in the Humphrey Cripps Theatre, Cripps Court, Magdalene College, from 10.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. The speakers and participants will include Sir Mark Malloch Brown, former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Sir Richard Jolly, former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr Ronald Hyam, Reader Emeritus in British Imperial History, Mr Aidan McQuade, Director of Anti-Slavery International, Ms Eleanor Sharpston QC, UK Advocate General at the European Court of Justice, and Mr John Simpson, World Affairs Editor of the BBC. The symposium is open to all who are interested. The registration fee is £10 (student concession: £5), to include a buffet lunch. To register, e-mail symposium@magd.cam.ac.uk or telephone 01223 (3)32144.
On Friday, 16 February at 7.30 p.m., in the Humphrey Cripps Theatre, Opera East, conducted by Oliver Gooch, will perform a semi-staged production of the satirical opera 'Inkle and Yarico' by Samuel Arnold and George Colman, in a new edition by Richard Luckett. 'Inkle and Yarico' was immensely successful on its first production in 1787 and was influential publicity for the abolitionist movement. Tickets for the performance cost £20 (to include rum punch in the interval, kindly supplied by Diageo) and are available from inkle+yarico@magd.cam.ac.uk or at the Porters' Lodge, Magdalene College.