Bob Marley Remembered in Montego Bay

Reggae icon, the late Robert ‘Bob’ Marley, was remembered at a symposium, held at Sam Sharpe Square, in Montego Bay, St. James, on February 5, with hundreds of students, adults and teachers from across Western Jamaica participating.
The event was staged by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), to celebrate the 64th anniversary of Mr. Marley’s birth, under the theme: ‘Children get your culture’.
Highlights of the function were an exhibition on the life and work of Mr. Marley; a special screening of a documentary on the Legend; presentation and discussion sessions, hosted by broadcaster, Bob Clarke; internationally acclaimed photographer, Howard Moo Young, and Entertainer, Mackie Conscious. There was also a Bob Marley Song Arrangement Competition for high school students, and a special concert, featuring Reggae singers and groups from Western Jamaica.
Cultural Organiser for the JCDC in St. James, Natalie Morris, told JIS News that the symposium was geared at looking at the “tremendous impact that Bob Marley has had and is still having on Jamaica’s population and the world.”

Events and Commemoration Co-ordinator, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Hopeton Murray, addressing participants at the Western Region Bob Marley Symposium, which was staged in Montego Bay, St. James, on February 5, in commemoration of the Reggae icon’s 64th birthday anniversary.

“Part of our mission is to preserve the great legacy of our Reggae icon, Bob Marley. Today we are looking at Bob Marley, not only as we celebrate Black History Month, but also looking at him as an icon of Reggae, as we are now in Reggae Month (February), because it’s always an opportune time to remind Jamaica and Jamaicans of the impact of Bob Marley’s work. We have therefore included our students in the celebrations and have invited several schools to be involved here today, as the youths are the vehicle through which the preservation will be maintained,” Ms. Morris said.
She pointed out that the JCDC, by staging the symposium, would be ensuring that the work and legacy of this great Jamaican is never forgotten.
Events and Commemoration Co-ordinator at the JCDC, Hopeton Murray, told JIS News that the event was significant, as Bob Marley was the one who had really put Jamaica on the world map with his music.
“Bob Marley’s music has travelled the world to various countries, including the most far away and the coldest regions of the world. Through many of his songs, Bob Marley touched and relieved the conditions of many persons, especially in Africa. You just have to listen to any one of his music and you will see why. He was always preaching about rights and justice. This was Bob and this is good for us in Jamaica in 2009. He was all about talking and singing to people and thereby trying to change their lives for the better,” Mr. Murray said.