In a vibrant show of nationwide delight, Jamaicans gathered on the Nationwide Stadium in Kingston on Wednesday (August 6) to rejoice the nation’s 63rd 12 months of Independence on the annual Grand Gala.
The occasion drew a big and enthusiastic crowd, with individuals adorned within the nationwide colors in line with this 12 months’s Independence Day theme, ‘Be Proud, Be Daring in Black, Inexperienced and Gold’.
Individuals cheered, danced and waved flags as they have been handled to varied cultural and modern music and dance performances, shows from the safety forces and a spectacular drone present, which highlighted elements of Jamaica’s historical past.
The occasion included the presentation of the Reggae Icon award to a few excellent reggae artistes – Leroy Sibbles, Capleton, and Beres Hammond.
Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, in reflecting on Jamaica’s journey since 1962, cited the institution and preservation of the nation’s democracy as amongst its biggest achievements.
“Effectively, there are lots of nice issues that we’ve got achieved…. I’d prefer to say that Jamaica has the oldest black democracy on the planet, and we’ve got by no means had a break in our democracy, and our democracy is robust,” he mentioned.
One other level of delight is the nation’s financial progress, which he famous, is attributed to good fiscal administration and financial self-discipline.
Dr. Holness expressed pleasure on the turnout of Jamaicans on the Nationwide Stadium for the Grand Gala, and the importance that the power holds within the lifetime of the nation.
He reiterated plans to improve the stadium to raised accommodate the huge crowds that collect for nationwide occasions and to rejoice the worldwide dominance of the nation’s athletes, which he famous, can be among the many nation’s achievements.
Minister of Tradition, Gender, Leisure and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, expressed immense delight within the sea of nationwide colors on the Grand Gala, which, she famous, displays this 12 months’s Independence Day theme.
“I’m simply happy with every little thing. This 12 months has been nice; yearly we attempt to do higher,” she informed JIS Information.
“The truth that individuals have turned up of their nationwide colors… I’m actually very proud, and I feel it’s a nice second as we rejoice,” she added.
She famous the significance of preserving Jamaica’s tradition and heritage, notably for younger individuals, highlighting the work of the Jamaica Nationwide Heritage Belief (JNHT), Institute of Jamaica (IOJ), Nationwide Library of Jamaica (NLJ), and the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Reminiscence Financial institution, on this regard.
She famous that the NLJ, which operates below the Authorized Deposit Act, has a mandate to safeguard the works of Jamaican creatives.
“We’re doing every little thing we will to make sure that we protect… and defend our tradition,” the Minister mentioned.
She inspired Jamaicans to embrace their distinctive identification, whereas recognising the huge contributions which were made regionally and globally.
“You may have a tradition of which you should be proud. You may have a heritage of which you should be proud. You may have given the world a brand new faith in Rastafari, you may have given the world many musical icons… . You may have given the world a brand new music that has penetrated all corners of the world. Now we have the most effective espresso on the planet; we’ve got a lot to be happy with,” Minister Grange outlined.
She went on to level out that Jamaica’s Independence Day celebrations are a worldwide assertion of delight and confidence within the nation’s future.
“This little piece of rock, we’re particular,” the Minister declared.
