Jamaica'S 50th Independence Celebrations Jan

JAMAICA'S 50TH INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION

Jamaica gained independence from Great Britain on August 6th 1962. In 2012 Jamaica will have a year-long series of events to celebrate its 50th year anniversary of independence.

Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) will oversee most of the local celebrations. "The major objectives of the Jamaica 50 celebration are to strengthen and enhance the cultural identity of the Jamaican people; to provide spaces for reflection and mediation on the achievements, struggles, challenges and aspirations of our people; to create opportunities for economic advancement through the planning and implementation of trade fairs, market penetration activities exposition and festivals; to engage the Jamaican Diaspora in the project for national development; to foster and promote heritage preservation and product enhancement for the expansion of the tourism market and the economic capacity of the Jamaican economy; to promote Jamaica as a world-class culture and destination for music, film, theatre arts, festivals and events, sports, design, fashion, as well as for the insertion of Jamaica into the mainstream of world cultures and destinations."

Jamaica's 50th anniversary celebrations launched in London

Jamaican High Commissioner to the United Kingdom His Excellency Anthony Johnson addresses hundreds of people who attended the launch of Jamaica 50 in the United Kingdom at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday, December 13.

he celebrations to mark Jamaica's 50th Anniversary of Independence got off to a colourful start at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday evening.

A kaleidoscope of music, dance and other cultural presentations satisfied curiosities with a taste of what is to be expected as Jamaica celebrates its Golden Jubilee in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2012.

An exciting calendar of events spanning January to December was unveiled. Among the major activities will be gospel concerts, reggae concerts, a Jamaica versus England masters' cricket match and a range of festivals which will showcase Jamaica's rich culinary and artistic talents. Continue

South Korea to sponsor 50th Independence

MINISTER OF Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange has announced that the South Korean city of Daegu has committed to giving assistance to Jamaica during next year's celebration of the nation's 50th anniversary of Independence.

Grange received the commitment of assistance during a meeting with the vice-mayor of political affairs of Daegu Metropolitan City, Kim Yon Chang.

The minister and the vice-mayor discussed Korean assistance for fireworks and lighting effects during Jamaica's 50th celebrations as well as exchange in the areas of sports and culture. Read more

Jamaica's 50th Independence Theme Song - "Find A Flag"

BIRTH OF INDEPENDENCE

From Savannla-La-Mar to Morant Bay, from Above Rocks to Port Maria, as the clock struck midnight on August 5, 1962, the strains of our national anthem were heard for the first time while Union Jacks were lowered and the Jamaican flag unveiled.

Ceremonies took place in parish capitals across the island. In many cases, fireworks lit up the skies punctuating the August 6 birth of the Dominion of Jamaica. At the National Stadium, then Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante, decked out in formal wear, presided over what was described as a stirring event.

"The entire evening was just tremendous," says statesman Hector Wynter, enthusiastically recounting the shared excitement and delight that reverberated through the packed Stadium where over 20,000 people proudly joined in the celebration of movement from colonialism to self-government.

Kingston and all other parish capitals were resplendent with flags and bunting, and many civic and social events took place, including dancing in the streets, maypoles in town squares, jonkonnu, bonfires, float parades overflowing with beauty queens, as well as tree planting and religious ceremonies.

Lola Ramocan, recalls how as a teenager she, like many of the people in her home parish of Clarendon, dressed in the colours of the flag and crowded into the town centre to celebrate. There were treats for the children and the elderly, and commemorative cups and plates were distributed. "What wonderful souvenirs these made," Ramocan said with a smile, "having one was like holding onto a piece of history." Continue

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