Jamaica 50 Events in London Move into High Gear

Activities in the United Kingdom (UK) to celebrate Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence are gathering momentum, with a flurry of events to take place from May 16 to October 16.

The first of three ‘Jamaica 50’ Lectures will be held at the Jamaican High Commission in London on May 16, with Executive Chairman of GraceKennedy Limited, Douglas Orane, to speak on the topic: ‘Unleashing the Entrepreneurial Spirit: Jamaica at 50’ .

Distinguished Jamaican judge and President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Justice Patrick Robinson, will deliver the second lecture on:‘Human Rights:  Jamaica to the World:  Jamaica at 50’ on June 18 at Brunel University. He will repeat the lecture the following day to an audience at the University of London.

The lecture series concludes on October 16, with Rev. Robert Beckford delivering the ‘Sam Sharpe Lecture: Jamaica at 50,’ at the High Commission in London.

Cricket enthusiasts will enjoy a match between Jamaica and England on July 8 at the Kennington Oval, London, while a national church service is scheduled for July 21 at the Methodist Central Hall, Westminster, London.

The best of Jamaican culture in art, music, and food will be on show at the ‘Jamaica House at the O2’ event, which will be held from August 2 to 12 at the O2 Arena, London.

The event will be used to promote Brand Jamaica and attract tourists and investors to the island at a time when the world's eyes will be on the country, as the athletes complete in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Jamaica House will be close to the games as it will be staged at an area, which is part of the Olympic site where the basketball, gymnastics and some events for the Special Olympics will be held.

Activities conclude on August 16, with the Jamaica Independence UK Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Arsenal Emirates Stadium, London.

By Allan Brooks, JIS Reporter