The Freetown City Council (FCC) has over the weekend concluded the Freetown at 230 years Anniversary Celebration after a week of activities portraying the rich history, culture, tradition and ethnic diversity of Sierra Leone.

The final event of the Freetown at 230 Years Anniversary Celebrations was a Grand Parade and was honored by the Mayor of Monrovia, Liberia, Jefferson Koijee Kanifing, and other prominent International and local dignitaries, including a delegation from Rotary Fishers Indianapolis, in bringing international relationships into the city’s celebrations. FCC was also joined along the route by Special Advisor to the President Dr. Raymond De Souza George and Western Area Region Minister Mdme Nabeela Tunis.

“With participants from a cross section of our community, including the FCC Councillors and staff, military and correctional services, school children, persons with disabilities, street sweepers, the slum dwellers association, the indigenous importers association, the council of tribal heads and the Krio Descendants Union, the Grand Parade was a fitting and fun way to end a week of celebrating our city’s history, culture and traditions,” the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr stated.

The Mayor noted that, “15 banners bearing the names of the 15 ships that came to Freetown from Nova Scotia on 11th March 1792 were displayed as we marched through the city passing the historic Cotton Tree and ending at the Freetown City Council.”

“It has been a rewarding week celebrating our history and showcasing our culture 230 years after Nova Scotian settlers landed here and named it Freetown, she added.
The Mayor further went on to thank all those that supported them in one way or another and look forward to even better ways to celebrate the city and oneness in the coming years.

The list of activities lined up in the Freetown at 230 Anniversary Celebration included:

1. an opening ceremony with in-depth discussions on Freetown then and now and in the future
2. a symposium and photo exhibition on the contribution of women to the city’s success
3. a display of culture and diversity by the ethnic groups in Freetown
4. a vigil to reflect and remember those they have lost
5. an interfaith ceremony to mark the anniversary
6. street parties in all wards and open air concerts in the east and the west of Freetown
7. and finally a grand parade of various groups and organizations in the city.