Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, on June 16 launched Emancipation and Independence celebrations for 2016 under the theme ‘Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright’. The launch was held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will celebrate the country’s 54th year of Independence with a series of activities slated...

The dream of Venezuelan Revolutionary Leader, Símόn Bólívar, to unite the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean through culture is being realised at the Símόn Bólívar Cultural Centre (SBCC). Scores of Jamaicans and Latinos twisted, swayed and twirled as they did the one-two-three salsa steps, at a recent event dubbed “Latin Mania” at the Centre in North Parade, downtown,...

Primary school students in Montego Bay are to benefit from the Project Yourself Cultural Arts Programme (PYCap), which was launched on Tuesday, May 24. The 10-week project, which commences in June, is being implemented by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) under the theme: ‘Crafting a Future Through the Arts’. It will comprise training sessions and workshops targeting the visual...

Iconic Jamaican poet and writer, Claude McKay, was the focus of the High Commission’s Literary Event on May 19. The function featured a presentation by Jamaican-born attorney and poet, David Neita, who spoke about how Mr. McKay’s Jamaican childhood influenced his writing. He also drew attention to the impact that Mr. McKay had on the Harlem Renaissance in New York...

Fifty-five years ago, the Jamaican Parliament decided to abolish Empire Day, May 24th. It was decided that in commemoration of the labour upheavals, which took place between May 23 and June 6, 1938, Labour Day would be celebrated on May 23rd in recognition of the working class movement. Empire Day is the birthday of Queen Victoria who has been credited...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia “Babsy” Grange, says the cultural sector has the potential to be a major contributor to economic growth in the country. “As we seek to enhance our prosperity, we are convinced of the economic value of culture and the arts and the need for (cultural practitioners) to promote the business of the...

On this International Museum Day, Jamaica pauses with the rest of the world to reflect on the value and contribution of museums to people in their various sectors and communities. In doing so, I wish to laud the International Council of Museum (ICOM) for their global leadership in this activity as well as for the timely and significantly meaningful theme...