Windrush Day 2024 - 76 years
Posted on: 21 June 2024 in Posts
Every year, since 2018, on the 22nd of June we mark Windrush Day.
What is Windrush?
In 1948, Empire Windrush arrived in Essex. The ship carried passengers from the Caribbean who had been invited to the UK to rebuild post-war Britain. Many of the passengers were not properly recorded by the government of the time and were also ill-treated.
Last year (2023), marked the 75th anniversary of Windrush with many events taking place locally and across the country. This year sees many other events and projects taking place. This included the recent Windrush, The Journey touring performance (31st May & 1st June 2024) at the Tung Auditorium, here at the University of Liverpool.
Whispered Tales - Government Scheme
The UK Government has funded a Windrush Day Grant Scheme in 2024. This is available to not-for-profit groups and local authorities for projects in England and Northern Ireland that commemorate, celebrate and educate people about the contribution of the Windrush generation and their descendants. This includes the Liverpool-based group Whispered Tales.
Daughters of the Windrush Generation – Museum Exhibit and Film
Visit Museums Liverpool webpage below detailing their exhibit on the Daughters of Windrush including a video of the film ‘Daughters of Windrush: The Descendants’ Stories’ Directed by Hambi Haralambous
2024 Events:
16th June
Summer Fair - Windrush Session
The Summer Fair is an annual event held by the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures to give Widening Participation School Students a taster of the subjects and research within our School. This session looks at the music in the 1940s and 1950s to understand the ‘Windrush’ experience in Britain. Through working through the satirical lyrics of Calypso singer Lord Kitchener, the session aims to have students understand how music can help historians make connections between migration, everyday racism, and political protest.
26th June
The Windrush Scandal in Transnational and Commonwealth Contact
As part of the Institute of Historical Research’s three-year research project, Windrush Scandal, their next event will take place on the 26th June.
Events over previous years
2021
The Museum of Liverpool added the film, Daughters of the Windrush to their permanent display in the People's Republic gallery. Last year, Dr Mary Booth and Dr Jess White organised a screening of Bea Freeman's Daughters of Windrush film for students on campus as well as secondary school groups with Dixon's Academy.
2022
The University of Liverpool’s Special Collections & Archives displayed a selection of the children’s books newly acquired for the Children’s Literature collection on the theme of ‘Windrush and wider’.
Previous blogs written about Windrush:
2023
SHIRLEY J. THOMPSON’S WOMEN OF THE WINDRUSH HONOURED IN UNIQUE PERFORMANCE AT UOL
2022
THE 5TH ANNUAL OBSERVATION OF WINDRUSH DAY
74 YEARS SINCE THE ARRIVAL OF THE 1ST GROUPS FORMING THE WINDRUSH GENERATION
2021
Keywords: Windrush, Carribbean, Heritage, History, 76th Anniversary, Migration stories.