Events
Emancipation Day 2026: the 163rd anniversary was commemorated at Belvedere Plantation
Sint Maarten marked the 163rd anniversary of the abolition of slavery on 1 July 2026 with an official ceremony at Belvedere Plantation under the theme "Buss di chain & free your…".
By SXM Daily ·
Reported 1 July 2026.
Sint Maarten's official Emancipation Day ceremony for the 163rd anniversary of the abolition of slavery was held from 8:00 to 10:00 on 1 July 2026 at Belvedere Plantation on Oyster Pond Road, the Government of Sint Maarten announced. The theme was "Buss di chain & free your…".
The site
The government said it had completed the purchase of the "Belvedere Remainder", 288,402 m² of the former plantation, in early December 2025. A shuttle ran from the Belvedere housing roundabout.
The ceremony
Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Melissa Gumbs, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams spoke, according to a Daily Herald report. Historian Jean-Marc Augusty said the plantation dated to 1726 and that 135 enslaved people were recorded on its inventory. The programme closed with a Ponum Dance finale.
For background, see our page on Emancipation and the abolition of slavery on Saint Martin.
Sources
- https://www.sintmaartengov.org/news/Pages/163rd-Anniversary-of-the-Abolition-of-Slavery-to-be-commemorated-at-the-Belvedere-Plantation.aspx
- http://sxmelections.com/news/67874/emancipation-day-commemorated--at-belvedere-plantation-ceremony--the-daily-herald