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Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, delivers remarks during Thursday’s (July 31) Emancipation Vigil in St. James. The event was held in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.

Emancipation Vigil a Powerful Reminder of Ancestors’ Struggles and Triumphs

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, says the Emancipation Vigil in St. James stands as a powerful reminder of the struggles and triumphs of Jamaica’s ancestors, and the enduring significance of freedom. Addressing the large crowd gathered in Sam...

Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding, MP

Message from the Leader of the Opposition Mr Mark Golding, MP for Emancipation Day 2025

Flyer for the 2025 Seville Emancipation Jubilee.

All Roads Lead to Seville Heritage Park for Emancipation Vigil

St. James Parish Manager for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Collel Blake, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank at the agency’s Montego Bay Regional Office.

Take Children to Emancipendence Activities – JCDC

Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation and Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon (centre), addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank, held at the agency’s Montego Bay Regional office. He is joined by Director of Planning and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Saint James Municipal Corporation, Trevian Manning, and St. James Parish Manager for the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Collel Blake.

Beautification of Downtown Montego Bay Completed

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, addresses a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Thank held at the agency’s Television Department in Kingston.

11 months ago CultureEmancipationIndependence

Slate of Activities in Rural Parishes for Jamaica 63

Jamaicans in rural parishes are being encouraged to participate in the slate of events to be held in communities across the island for Jamaica 63 Independence celebrations. The activities are being organised by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), under the theme ‘Be Proud, Be Bold in Black, Green, and Gold’....

Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2024, Omolora Wilson (centre), with first runner-up, Miss Manchester, Shannoya Houston (left), and second runner-up, Miss Kingston and St. Andrew, Daindra Harrison (right), during the 2024 national coronation.

11 months ago CultureEmancipationIndependence

Miss Jamaica Festival Queen to Be Crowned on August 2

The national finals of the 2025 Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Competition will be held on Saturday, August 2 at the Independence Village at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston, starting at 8:30 p.m. Some 13 young women will be vying for the crown. The competition is held annually by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, through the...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.

11 months ago CultureEmancipationIndependence

Jamaicans Encouraged to Join Celebrations for Emancipation and Independence

Jamaicans are being encouraged to take part in this year’s vibrant lineup of national Emancipation and Independence events. Speaking during the National Emancipation and Independence Thanksgiving Church Service at Faith Cathedral Deliverance Centre in Kingston on Sunday (July 27), Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, said the events are designed to honour the past and celebrate...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (left), presents the Jamaica Festival Song Trophy to 2025 winner, Abigail ‘Abi-D’ Dunstan, who walked away with the coveted award for her entry - ‘Sweet JA’. The final of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC)-organised competition took place on Saturday (July 26) at Emancipation Park in St. Andrew.

11 months ago CultureEntertainment

Abigail ‘Abi-D’ Dunstan Wins 2025 Festival Song Title with ‘Sweet JA’

‘Sweet JA’ by Abigail ‘Abi-D’ Dunstan has emerged as the winner of the 2025 Jamaica Festival Song Competition. The winner was announced during the results show at Emancipation Park in St. Andrew on Saturday (July 26). ‘Sweet JA’ was selected through a combination of votes from a panel of judges and the public. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport,...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (second right), and Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left), listen as Chief Curator at the National Gallery of Jamaica, O’Neil Lawrence (left), provides an overview of one of the pieces displayed during an exhibition coinciding with the Governor General’s reception to celebrate Jamaica’s 63rd Anniversary of Independence. Also listening are (from third left): Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange; Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Lady Allen; and Member of Parliament for St. Andrew South Western, Dr. Angela Brown Burke. The reception was held at King’s House on Thursday (July 24).

11 months ago CultureEmancipationIndependencePrime Minister

Independence is a Mission to Be Renewed – Prime Minister Holness

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says Jamaica’s Independence is not merely an anniversary to be commemorated, but a mission to be renewed by each generation. He emphasised that independence extends beyond the right to self-rule, underscoring the nation’s responsibility to ensure safety, security, and opportunities for its citizens. “[Also] the capacity…to uphold law and order… and ensure...

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (left), Her Excellency, the Most Hon. Lady Allen (second left) and Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, view one of the art pieces on display at the Governor-General’s reception to celebrate Jamaica’s 63rd anniversary of Independence. The reception was held at King’s House on Thursday (July 24). Also admiring the piece (from fourth left) are Member of Parliament, Dr. Angela Brown Burke; Curator, O’Neil Lawrence and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.

11 months ago CultureDevelopmentGovernor GeneralLady AllenPrime Minister

G-G Calls on Jamaicans to Recommit to Building a Just and Prosperous Future

As Jamaica prepares to celebrate its 63rd anniversary of Independence, Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, has called on citizens to reflect on the nation's journey and to recommit to building a just, prosperous, and strong future. “This occasion is both festive and solemn. It reminds us of our shared journey as a people, rooted in the...

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, speaks during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Thursday (July 24).

11 months ago CultureJIS Think Tank

‘Jamaica 63’ Logo to be Unveiled at Festival Song Competition Final Show

The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, through the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), will unveil the official Jamaica 63 logo during the results show for the Jamaica Festival Song Competition on Saturday, July 26, at Emancipation Park in Kingston, beginning 8:30 p.m. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange, announced during a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) ‘Think Tank’ on Thursday...