JCDC Stages Activities for National Heritage Week

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) is staging a series of activities across the island from October 8 to 15 in celebration of National Heritage Week, under the theme ‘One Love…One Family…One Heritage’.

Director for Community and Cultural Development Services at the JCDC, Marjorie Leyden-Vernon, told JIS News that the activities include parish awards ceremonies, church services, heritage festivals and tours to historical sites.

On Wednesday (October 10), a celebration titled ‘Heritage Fest’ will be held at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann. Persons will be able to tour the park, which was once a 16th century British plantation, and view performances from traditional groups.

“They will showcase where the heritage is coming from and what we inherited in terms of our unique traditional forms,” Mrs. Leyden-Vernon said.

The JCDC is collaborating with the Committee for the Promotion of National Religious Services to host a national thanksgiving service at the Fellowship Apostolic Church, 16 Camp Road, Kingston, on October 14, beginning at 10:00 am. Religious services will be held in various parishes on the day.

The highlight of the week will be the parish awards ceremonies on National Heroes Day, Monday (October 15), where citizens will be recognised for their contributions in areas such as community development, education, business, sports and agriculture.

“We usually look at what individuals have been doing and present awards to the ones that are outstanding. Nominations are made and each parish would award a local hero on National Heroes Day,” Mrs. Leyden-Vernon said.

Persons can visit the JCDC’s website www.jcdc.gov.jm or any JCDC parish office islandwide to view the Heritage Week schedule of activities.