As part of Douglass Week – a collaborative event series that celebrates the arrival of Frederick Douglass in Ireland between 1845-1846 – Hot Press is joining forces with the Cork Migrant Centre for a special virtual event, featuring song, spoken word and discussion, kicking off at 5pm today, February 11, via Zoom, and streaming live on the Hot Press Facebook page.

Joe Kavanagh, Lord Mayor of Cork city, will open the gig with a speech and Hot Press's Shamim Malekmian will be moderating what promises to be a fascinating conversation. Mentors and young people from the Cork Migrant Centre will be speaking about how they've been inspired by the iconic American abolitionist, and the work they have created as part of Douglass Week.

The event will feature contributions from Ugonna, Cliff Masheti, Raphael Olympio, Paul Oakley Stovall (who played George Washington in Hamilton), Outsider YP, Friday Junior Osemwekhae and Elton Sibanda.

In late 1845, shortly after the publication of his memoir, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Douglass began a tour of Ireland – spending several months travelling around the country, and lecturing to packed audiences in Dublin, Wexford, Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Belfast. He also met with Daniel O'Connell (a major inspiration in his fighter against injustice) during his time in Ireland, and reflected upon the devastating effects of the famine that was then just beginning to sweep the island.

Take a look at the full programme for Douglass Week 2021 here.

Join us for a special virtual event, featuring mentors and young people from the Cork Migrant Centre, at 5pm today, February 11 – via Zoom or through a livestream on the Hot Press Facebook page.