‘Jamaica House’ Opens in London August 3

LONDON — Jamaica House at the O2 arena in London will officially open on Friday, August 3, and will be on show until the end of the Olympics on August 12.

The event will celebrate all things Jamaican and will be the centre piece of the international celebrations of the island’s 50th anniversary of Independence.  The House will also be a hub of support for the Jamaican athletes at the Olympics.

The Jamaica House venture is spearheaded by the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Jamaica 50 Secretariat, in partnership with JAMPRO, the Government’s trade and investment promotions agency.

While Jamaica House will showcase the best of Jamaican heritage, food and culture, it will also be a venue for serious dialogue, aimed at increasing trade and investment opportunities as well as tourist arrivals to the island.

To this end, a series of investment seminars and special presentations will be hosted by JAMPRO. The JTB will be putting a special focus on European travel.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. Anthony Hylton; Minister of Tourism and Entertainment, Hon. Dr. Wykeham McNeill; Minister with responsibility for Sports, Hon. Natalie Neita-Headley and Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Hon. Roger Clarke are scheduled to take part in the Jamaica House seminars.

Jamaica House is part of what is being termed the Summer of Jamaica at the O2, which will include  a special Bob Marley Exhibition and the Respect Jamaica music festival that will feature more than 50 of Jamaica’s world renown singers, musicians and poets, including Jimmy Cliff, Damien Marley, Lee Scratch Perry, Shaggy, Marcia Griffiths, Monty Alexander and Mutabaruka.

The O2 arena, in addition to being the base for Jamaica House, is also the venue for Olympic competitions in Gymnastics, Basketball and Trampoline.