On Emancipation Day, August 1, the Government of Jamaica will join with the August Town community in celebrating the legacy of noted spiritual leader Alexander Bedward, by unveiling signage to the church, which he founded. The signs are to promote awareness about the significance of the national monument, and the spiritual movement that Bedward led, which was a source of...

The Ministry of Youth and Culture is encouraging all Jamaicans to participate in the emancipation and independence celebrations that will be taking place across the island. This year, a major highlight of the 2015 Festival activities, being celebrated under the theme ‘Proud and Free…Jamaica 53’, is the ‘Link Up and Labrish’ discussion forum that will be held at the Independence...

The 2015 Independence Day ceremony will be held on the west lawns of King’s House on Thursday, August 6. Presented by Their Excellencies, Governor-General, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen, the traditional celebration promises the usual pomp and pageantry, which has been associated with it throughout the years. The ceremony gets underway at 9:00 a.m. with a...

The Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St. Andrew will be transformed into an ‘Independence Village’ from August 1 to 6, as part of celebrations to mark Jamaica’s 53rd year of Independence. Addressing a recent JIS Think Tank, Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Delroy Gordon, said the Independence Village will showcase the best of Jamaica’s culture and...

The National Festival of the Arts Competition will now take place between September and March, instead of between January and May. Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’ on July 24, Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, explained that the change was implemented in the 2014-2015 school year. “Last year, we had spoken about making a change to the schedule...

The historic Tulloch Castle in Kensington, St. James, regarded as the cradle of the movement which spawned the abolition of slavery in Jamaica and the Western Hemisphere, will be the site for the parish’s Emancipation vigil this year. Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Parish Manager for St. James, Vinton Haughton, who provided details at a recent JIS Think Tank, said...

Businesses, offices and towns have an opportunity to showcase their creativity and decorative skills by adorning their space with the national colours, during the period of celebrations to mark Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence. Public and private sector organisations all have the chance to vie for prizes and gain the prestige of having the best dressed window; and the best decorated...