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JIS Heritage Competition 2025

Emancipendence 2025

Watch The Latest Emancipendence Event
EMANCIPENDENCE 2025 August 1, 2025 - August 6, 2025 Be Proud. Be Bold. In The Black, Green and Gold

Introduction

Jamaica proudly celebrates two significant milestones each August that reflect the nation’s journey to freedom and self-determination. Emancipation Day, observed on August 1, commemorates the end of slavery in 1834 and honors the resilience and sacrifices of our ancestors who fought for liberation. This solemn yet powerful occasion is marked by cultural reflections, re-enactments, and gatherings that pay tribute to African heritage. Just days later, on August 6, Independence Day celebrates Jamaica’s 1962 break from British colonial rule. The island comes alive with national pride, vibrant parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and musical performances that highlight the enduring spirit of the Jamaican people and their unwavering commitment to sovereignty and cultural identity.

Commemoration Events

Grand Gala Drummer
Jamaica 60 Parade
The Kaya Junkunnu Band deep in their performance during the Seville Emancipation Jubilee 2025 at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann on Thursday, July 31, under the theme, ‘Be Proud, Be Bold in Black, Green, and Gold’.
Institute of Jamaica Representative, Ramon Downer, (second from right), help passersby find the right cultural souvenir during the Seville Emancipation Jubilee 2025 at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann on Thursday, July 31, under the theme, ‘Be Proud, Be Bold in Black, Green, and Gold’.
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.
Gospel group, Adoracion, performs during the Emancipation Vigil in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay, on Thursday (July 31).
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon (right), tours the HEART/NSTA Trust booth at the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon on Friday (Aug. 1). She is joined by (from left) Programme Coordinator at the Clarendon-based Ebony Park Heart Academy, Reinard Davis; Regional Director, Charlene Mohan; and the agency’s Managing Director, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton.
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, pets goats on display at the 71st staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, in May Pen, Clarendon on Friday (Aug. 1).
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (left) and Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President, Owen Dobson (second left), look at the range of fresh produce on display at the JAS booth, on day two of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon on Saturday (Aug. 2). They are joined by JAS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Derron Grant (second right) and JAS Regional Manager, Denver Thorpe.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green (right), looks at a product on offer at the Fruit Blossoms booth, while entrepreneur Kadeen Harvey looks on. Minister Green was on a tour of booths at the 71st staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in May Pen, Clarendon on Saturday (Aug. 2).
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon Olivia Grange (left), presents Jamaica Festival Queen 2025, Brithney Clarke, with her trophy at the Coronation Show held on Saturday night (Aug.2) at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston. Miss Clarke, representing Kingston & St Andrew, topped the field of 14 parish queens. She won several sectional prizes, including Most Congenial, Most Poised, and Most Popular on Social Media.
Jamaica Festival Queen 2025, Brithney Clarke (centre), representing Kingston and St. Andrew, is flanked by first runner-up, Afiya Birch-Gentles (left), Miss St. Catherine and second runner-up, Rhaveen Kildare, Miss Clarendon. The Festival Queen Coronation show was held on Saturday night (Aug.2) at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.
Miss Kingston and St. Andrew, Brithney Clarke, takes her walk as Jamaica Festival Queen 2025, at the Coronation show held on Saturday night (Aug.2) at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston. Miss Clarke won several sectional prizes, including Most Congenial, Most Poised, and Most Popular on Social Media
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange (right), presents 2025 Gospel Star winner, Raheim Betty, with his $1 million cheque and trophy at the Jamaica Gospel Star Competition, held on Sunday (August 3), at the National Indoor Sports Centre, in St. Andrew.
Carey Sayles entertains patrons at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Redemption Fest held on Friday (Aug. 1) at Emancipation Park in Kingston.
Patrons were kept dancing at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Redemption Fest held on Friday (Aug. 1) at Emancipation Park in Kingston.
Members of the Port Antonio Theatre Group are animated in performance at the staging of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) Mello-Go-Roun 2025 on Monday (Aug. 4), at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston.
Clan Carthy Primary School student, David Nicholson, performs ‘John A Wah Dat Mi Hear’ during the 2025 staging of Mello-Go-Roun at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on Monday (Aug. 4). Mello-Go-Roun showcases the best of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission’s (JCDC) festival of the performing arts.

Emancipendence Past Events

Emancipendence Past Events

6 Videos

Speeches and Messages

Speeches from His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KST.J Governor General, Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP and Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding, MP.

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