Students Flock to Seville Heritage Park For Annual Expo

More than 4000 children from primary and secondary schools across Jamaica gathered at the Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann’s Bay for the Seville Heritage Expo 2024.

The annual event, held on October 16, provided a hands-on educational experience for students studying Jamaican history and culture, helping to bring the island’s rich heritage to life just days before the celebration of National Heroes Day on October 21.

Event organiser, Joan Seagears, told JIS News that the primary goal of the expo, which is in its 26th year, is to enhance students’ understanding of Jamaica’s history by immersing them in live demonstrations and performances.

One of the highlights of this year’s event was a musical segment, which provided entertainment while educating the students about the African influence in today’s popular songs and dances.

“So, we got the Fab Five band to interpret the music of yesteryear for the children and help them to understand that those [dance] movements that they’re doing today, comes from the African beat with the kind of music and the drumming,” Ms. Seagears said.

A new feature was a dramatisation of Jamaica’s national heroes, with students presenting interpretations of the lives and accomplishments of heroes such as Marcus Garvey and Nanny of the Maroons.

Cultural awareness was a central theme of the expo, which showcased elements of African, Taino, and Maroon heritage.

Ms. Seagears  said that by learning more about their rich cultural tradition, students gained a stronger sense of self-worth and are better prepared for their social studies and history examinations.

The students in attendance were also treated to a variety of hands-on activities, including food tastings and interactive booths that explored different aspects of Jamaica’s cultural heritage.

They also gained insights into various career paths.

“For this year’s expo, we collaborated with a lot of government [entities] such as Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Jamaica Information Service (JIS), Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Ministry of Health and Wellness and other partners. We appreciate them because they allowed the students to see that there are other viable careers they can go into,” Ms. Seagears said.

For little Nya-Shae Williams, a student from Petersfield Primary School in Westmoreland, the event gave her the opportunity to engage in various activities, from dance competitions to exploring cultural booths and touring the great house.

“I learned [a lot] about our culture,” she told JIS News.