The Obama Center opens its doors in Chicago, while New York City hosts a variety of Juneteenth events celebrating both the end of slavery and the nation's bicentennial.
Events in NYC include DJ sets, drumming performances at the Bronx Museum, free performances at South Street Seaport, and sound baths at the Studio Museum. These festivities aim to blend contemplation with joyous celebration, marking a significant date in American history.
The US’s newest federal holiday, Juneteenth, commemorates the end of slavery in Texas years after the Emancipation Proclamation took effect. This year, it lands on the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, prompting reflections on which stories deserve to be told and celebrated.
As arts groups across the city honour this date with various events, they offer a glimpse into America's evolving narrative about race, freedom, and collective memory. Meanwhile, in Chicago, the Obamalisk stands as a visual reminder of a dual moral centre: one that once was and another still striving towards.
