‘One Nation, One People’ is Theme for Jamaica’s 57th Independence Celebrations
“One Nation, One People” will be the theme for the celebration of Jamaica’s 57th anniversary of Independence in 2019.
“Grange”That announcement was made last month by Olivia Grange, Jamaica’s minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport. According to Grange, the theme was chosen because it addresses an important area of focus Jamaica must pay attention to.
“We are at a very critical time in our life as a nation,” the minister explained in a recent press release issued by the government.
“We are witnessing the transition from one generation to the next and I believe that unity has to be a very important ingredient in the process to help us to solidify the gains we have made so far and build on them for the future.”
MOTTO
Grange said while the nation continues to celebrate the “International Decade for People of African Ancestry”, it is important in the wider Jamaican context to observe the tenets of its national motto: “Out of Many, One People”.
“We must always be reminded that this nation is a melting pot of cultures, built by people from many different ancestries,” she said.
“It is remarkable what we have been able to achieve by working together and it is that spirit of unity that we want to engender as we celebrate our Independence and look to the future.”
Grange said Jamaicans at home and abroad should look forward to a spirited Independence celebration as her ministry is working to make sure events such as the Jamaica Festival Song Competition, Jamaica Festival Queen Competition, Jamaica Gospel Song Competition and the Grand Gala are spectacles to be remembered.
WELCOME
“This year we will welcome various heads of government for Independence and we intend to display the best of Jamaica as the eyes of the world will be upon us,” Grange said.
“We will be streaming most of our activities to the diaspora so that everyone feels a part of the Jamaica 57 celebrations. We are well advanced in our planning and things have been going well.”
The Jamaica Festival Song Grand Final will be held on July 27, with the Emancipation Jubilee slated for July 31.
The Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Grand Coronation will be on Emancipation Day, Aug. 1, the World Reggae Dance Championship Grand Final on Aug. 2, Mello-Go-Roun on Aug. 3, the Jamaica Gospel Song Grand Final on Aug. 4 and the Pop and Variety Grand Final on Aug. 5.
Grand Gala will be held on Independence Day, Aug. 6, at the National Stadium.
For more information on the Independence celebrations, call 876-926-5726-9, or visit www.jcdc.gov.jm.
