Bermuda is this week celebrating two of the Island's most important historical moments — the 400th Anniversary of the wreck of the Sea Venture and the 135th anniversary of Emancipation Day.

On August 1, 1834, the Slavery Abolition Act was passed, freeing the Island's slaves, and to celebrate the anniversary of the milestone in Bermuda's history a series of events are scheduled starting today.

On Cabinet grounds today, the final addition to the Sally Bassett statue, a series of bronze plaques which tell her story, are scheduled to be formally unveiled at a dedication ceremony.

The dedication, which will start at 12.30 p.m., will feature remarks by Dame Jennifer Smith and Acting Premier Derrick Burgess, and a poetry reading by Vejay Steede.

On the actual anniversary on Saturday, a number of events are due to be held at the Botanical Gardens.

Festivities will begin with a processional in the Garden's Main Ring featuring Gombeys, the St. David's Native Community and the Bermuda Regiment Band, along with welcome speeches by the Governor, Sir Richard Gozney, and the Minister of Culture Neletha Butterfield.

Throughout the day, the Main Ring will feature musical and dance performances, along with historical interpretations organised by Dr. Shangri-La Durham-Thompson.

"It's about the Emancipation Day," said Dr. Durham-Thompson. "It's about how black and white people felt on that day."

The Celebration Lawn will host presentations on several aspects of Bermuda's history in relation to emancipation, a film festival featuring short films and an excert from Lucinda Spurling's 'The Lion and The Mouse'.

Various crafts and hands-on demonstrations will be held in the J.J. Outerbridge building, while the food area will host several food demonstrations, along with the finals of the Fish Chowder Challenge. Food and drinks will be available for purchase throughout the day.

The day will culminate with the premiere of the play 'Emancipation: A Love Story' by Dr. Kim Dismont-Robinson, which tells the story of a relationship between a black man and a white woman over Bermuda's 400-year history.

Those celebrating Emancipation Day in the Botanical Gardens will also be given a glimpse of life in Bermuda 135 years ago.

Throughout the afternoon, four historical interpretations will perform set in the days before Emancipation Day, and on the day itself.

The interpretations, coordinated by Dr. Durham-Thompson, are hoped to give Bermudians an idea of the impact of Emancipation.

"It's about how black people and white people felt. It's a trip back in time," said Dr. Durham-Thompson.

Work on the production began less than two months ago, with the scenes intended to be mostly improvised, based largely on 'Battle For Freedom', a book of plays and poetry written by Dr. Durham-Thompson 25 years ago.

"It turned out to be a little more difficult than I anticipated. People in the cast preferred having lines," she said.

Dr. Durham-Thompson will also be acting in the performances, alongside eight others, including several who work with her at Prospect Primary school.

The four scenes will be performed on Saturday at the Botanical Gardens. Scenes one and three will be performed in the Main Ring at 1.15 and 3.15 p.m. while scenes two and four will be performed on the JK Lawn at 2.30 and 4.25 p.m.