| Mon - Thur 8:30 am - 5:00pm, Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Government of Jamaica ja-flag

Latest

Newly crowned Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2023, Aundrene Cameron, representing the parish of St. Catherine, at the coronation held at Independence Village on Tuesday (August 1). The 21-year-old law student represented the parish of St. Catherine. The Festival Queen competition, which forms part of the Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence celebrations, is organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).
Newly crowned Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2023, Aundrene Cameron, representing the parish of St. Catherine, at the coronation held at Independence Village on Tuesday (August 1). The 21-year-old law student represented the parish of St. Catherine. The Festival Queen competition, which forms part of the Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence celebrations, is organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

PHOTOS: MISS ST. CATHERINE IS JAMAICA FESTIVAL QUEEN

 
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (centre), dances with the Charles Town Maroons group during the annual staging of the Emancipation Jubilee at the Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann on Monday (July 31) into Tuesday (August 1).
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (centre), dances with the Charles Town Maroons group during the annual staging of the Emancipation Jubilee at the Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann on Monday (July 31) into Tuesday (August 1).

‘Reparations Now, Reparations are a Must’ – Minister Grange
Senior Pastor at the Webster Memorial United Church in St. Andrew, Rev. Astor Carlyle, delivers the sermon at a thanksgiving service to mark Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence, at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, on Sunday (July 30). Listening are Rev. Dr. Bertram Melbourne (second right), Dean of Howard University School of Divinity and Rev Dr. Kortright Davis.
Senior Pastor at the Webster Memorial United Church in St. Andrew, Rev. Astor Carlyle, delivers the sermon at a thanksgiving service to mark Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence, at the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, on Sunday (July 30). Listening are Rev. Dr. Bertram Melbourne (second right), Dean of Howard University School of Divinity and Rev Dr. Kortright Davis.

Jamaica’s Independence Day Proclaimed in Maryland
Custos Rotulorum for St. James, Bishop the Hon. Conrad Pitkin (second left), lights a flame during the Emancipation vigil at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay at midnight (August 1). The act symbolised the igniting of the flames of freedom by plantation slaves in Kensington, St. James, and other parts of Jamaica. Also participating in the exercise are (from left) Government Senator, Charles Sinclair; Councillor, Maroon Town Division, Everes Coke; and Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon.
Custos Rotulorum for St. James, Bishop the Hon. Conrad Pitkin (second left), lights a flame during the Emancipation vigil at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay at midnight (August 1). The act symbolised the igniting of the flames of freedom by plantation slaves in Kensington, St. James, and other parts of Jamaica. Also participating in the exercise are (from left) Government Senator, Charles Sinclair; Councillor, Maroon Town Division, Everes Coke; and Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon.

PHOTOS: Emancipation Vigil Staged in St. James
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), speaks with Anglican Archbishop of the West Indies and Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Howard Gregory, during Sunday’s (July 30) ecumenical National Independence Church Service. The service was held at the Waltham Park New Testament Church of God in Kingston. At right is Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (centre), speaks with Anglican Archbishop of the West Indies and Lord Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, His Grace, the Most Rev. Dr. Howard Gregory, during Sunday’s (July 30) ecumenical National Independence Church Service. The service was held at the Waltham Park New Testament Church of God in Kingston. At right is Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange.

Anglican Archbishop Urges Jamaicans to Embrace the Spirit of Emancipation and Independence

More

The Manchioneal Cultural Group performs during the Emancipation Day event, ‘Augus Mawnin Market’, on Tuesday (August 1). The event kicked off the week-long slate of activities being staged at the ‘Independence Village’ at the National Arena in Kingston from August 1 to 6.
CultureEmancipationIndependence

‘Augus’ Mawnin Market’ Kicks Off Week-Long Emancipation and Independence Celebrations

The flagship Emancipation Day event, ‘Augus Mawnin Market’, kicked off the week-long slate of activities being staged at the ‘Independence Village’ at the National Arena in Kingston, from August 1 to 6. On Tuesday, August 1, which is celebrated as Emancipation Day, the Village came alive with the sounds of popular festival songs, ‘Land of My Birth’, ‘Cherry Oh! Baby’,...
Read more
Revellers in Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, on Emancipation Day 2022.
CultureEmancipationHealth & WellnessIndependence

Jamaicans Urged to Take Covid-19 Precautions During ‘Emancipendence’ Celebrations

Jamaicans are being encouraged to take the necessary precautions against COVID-19 as they participate in festivities to mark Emancipation and Independence. The Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, recently announced that there has been an uptick in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and urged persons, especially the most vulnerable, “to employ infection-prevention-and-control mechanisms”. Speaking at...
Read more
Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon (left), hands over a token of appreciation to Pastor of the Kings Chapel United Pentecostal Church, Frank Kellier, during the St. James Independence Church Service, held at the church on Albion Road in Montego Bay, on Sunday (July 30). They are joined by Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (West), Hon. Homer Davis (third right, back row), and Councillors from St. James.
CultureEmancipationIndependenceLocal Government

Jamaicans Should Reflect on Achievements of Country – Deputy Mayor

Jamaicans should reflect on the country’s significant progress and journey as the nation celebrates 61 years of Independence. Deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Richard Vernon, made the plea as he addressed the St. James Independence Church Service, held at Kings Chapel United Pentecostal Church on Albion Road in Montego Bay, St. James, on Sunday (July 30). Mr. Vernon said...
Read more
Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange (right), presents the Jamaica Festival Song trophy to 2023 winner, Slashe, who walked away with the coveted trophy for his original entry, ‘Best in the World’. The finals of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competition took place on July 29 at the National Arena in Kingston.
Culture

PHOTOS: Slashe’s ‘Best in the World’ is 2023 Festival Song

Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Minister, Hon. Olivia Grange (right), presents the Jamaica Festival Song trophy to 2023 winner, Slashe, who walked away with the coveted trophy for his original entry, ‘Best in the World’. The finals of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competition took place on July 29 at the National Arena in Kingston.
Read more
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness reads the scripture lesson at the National Independence and Emancipation Day Church Service held on July 30, at the Waltham Park New Testament Church of God in Kingston.
Culture

Jamaicans Encouraged to Participate in Independence Activities

Jamaicans at home and abroad are being invited to participate in activities to mark the country’s 61st year of Independence, under the theme: ‘Jamaica 61… Proud and Strong’. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange said a range of activities are slated to be held from August 1 to 5 at the National Arena. “The invaluable contributions...
Read more
Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Lenford Salmon makes a point at a Jamaica Information Service Think Tank held on Friday (July 28), at the agency’s head office in Kingston.
Culture

Executive Director of JCDC Lauds Sponsors of Jamaica Festival 2023

Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Lenford Salmon has expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship received from various private and public sector entities, for the annual Jamaica Festival 2023. The JCDC, an agency of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, is planning a series of activities to celebrate this year’s Emancipation and Independence under the...
Read more
Glittering drones lit up the skies during last year’s Independence Grand Gala at the National Stadium in Kingston.
CultureEmancipation

Spectacular Drone Display Returns for Jamaica 61

The skies above the National Stadium in Kingston will come alive with a stunning display of lights, as the spectacular drone display returns for this year’s Grand Gala on Sunday (August 6). The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. will culminate activities celebrating Jamaica’s 61st anniversary under the theme: ‘Jamaica 61…Proud and Strong’. Featuring hundreds of drones hovering in perfect...
Read more