Cultural Concert to Highlight Bustamante 131st Anniversary Celebration

A cultural concert, featuring young talent from Hanover, is among activities this year to celebrate the 131^st anniversary of the birth of National Hero, Right Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante.

The civic ceremony and concert, commemorating the life of Sir Alexander, will be held on February 24, at his birthplace in Blenheim.

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Regional Manager, Natalie Morris, informed that the concert will showcase JCDC Festival of Arts gold medal winners from the parish.

She was speaking to JIS News on Tuesday, February 10, following a site visit to Blenheim.

Ms. Morris said that the planning committee is putting the final touches in place to ensure that the programme will be of the highest quality.  The committee involves representatives of the Hanover Parish Council, JCDC, Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) as well as Government agencies, civil, and political organisations.

The function is slated to begin at 11:00 a.m., and Ms. Morris is inviting Jamaicans across the island to attend.

Mayor of  Lucea, Councillor Wynter McIntosh, said  he is pleased with the preparatory work done so far at Blenheim.

He expressed confidence that all will be in place for the successful staging of the event to honour the National Hero.

Sir Alexander Bustamante was born on February 24, 1884, and became the first Prime Minister of Independent Jamaica in 1962.

He retired from active politics in 1967 and died on August 6, 1977 at the age of 93 years. He was made a National Hero on October 18, 1969.