Persons attending the Independence Grand Gala at the National Stadium in Kingston on August 6 are being reminded that firearms, bottles and other potential weapons will not be allowed at the event. The Grand Gala gets underway at 5:30 p.m. Other restricted items include knives, ice picks, machetes, aerosol sprays, large igloos, glass bottles, frozen water or drinks, and umbrellas...

Jamaicans are being encouraged to incorporate the country’s National Colours - Black, Green, and Gold, with a hint of white, in their attire for this year’s Independence celebrations. This appeal comes from the Principal Director for Culture in the Ministry of Youth and Culture, Dahlia Harris, who indicates that the combination is this year’s chosen fashion theme. She made the...

Activities marking Jamaica’s 52nd Independence anniversary, are slated to be held in the United States capital, Washington, D.C., between August 3 and 15, by several Jamaican organizations based in that city. Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Stephen Vasciannie, will lead the Embassy of Jamaica’s participation in several of the engagements. The activities kick off on Sunday, August...

Winner of the 2014 Jamaica Festival Song Competition, Rushane Sanderson, is still basking in the attention that he has been receiving since copping the coveted title last weekend. Performing under the stage name ‘Deep Jahi’ Sanderson gave a thrilling performance of his original song, ‘I Love JA’ to win the contest held last Sunday night (July 27) at the Ranny...

Initiated in 1962, the Independence Celebrations were considered integral to national development as a way of giving Jamaicans a sense of who they are, and what their history and culture is all about. Jamaica 50 broadened the concept of the Independence celebrations to a programme of activities which would also serve to catalyse positive national response towards developmental goals. Customarily,...

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, has called on parents, and the society as a whole, to embrace the positives of children with disabilities, and to focus on their abilities, instead of the physical or intellectual impairment. She pointed out that when such children face discrimination and stigma, it has serious negative effects. “They carry the stigma and...

It is two days before Emancipation Day and eight days until Independence, and Jamaican flags are adorning cars, homes and business places in a show of patriotism and celebration of nationhood. Other national emblems and symbols are often used as part of the various ceremonies and festivities held during the annual ‘Emancipendence’ period. While this practice is encouraged, citizens are...