Kingston, 16 May 2023 (JIS) - The United Nations Secretary-General, His Excellency, António Guterres, has expressed admiration for Jamaica’s rich culture, which, he noted, has captivated the world for many decades.

“The richness of your culture, of your music is something that has invaded the world. Jamaica-originated cultural products really are a huge export… . It is extremely important because Jamaica has a huge imprint on the cultural world, and it is something you can be extremely proud of,” he said.

Mr. Guterres was addressing resident Heads of UN agencies and staff at the International Seabed Authority in Kingston on Monday (May 15) before touring the Art Walk in the Kingston Creative District, downtown Kingston.

The tour was one of several activities during his two-day working visit to the island from May 14 to 15.

The Secretary-General walked along Mark Lane and Water Lane where he admired murals depicting several of Jamaica’s greatest musical icons, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Millie Small. The murals tell the story of Jamaica’s musical past.

The Kingston Creative project, which also covers sections of Tower Street, Duke Street and Church Street, is aimed at transforming sections of downtown into creative spaces that showcase Jamaican food, craft, artwork, music and dance, to attract locals and visitors and provide income-earning opportunities.

State Minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge, who accompanied the UN Secretary-General on the tour, told JIS News that the visit was a testament of the value placed in Jamaica’s creative industries by members of the international community.

“It is an esteemed honour to have the United Nations Secretary-General here visiting Jamaica. What is even more important is that a big part of his visit pays tribute to Jamaica’s cultural and global dominance. The Secretary-General, himself, has noted that Jamaica, through its culture has [made significant impact] on the world,” he said.

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Kingston, 27 June 2022 (JIS) - The Ward Theatre stands as a historic monument at North Parade in the bustling downtown district of Kingston.

The 110-year-old building was completed in 1912, after the old structure was destroyed by the Great 1907 Kingston Earthquake.

It has deteriorated over the years, and a decision was taken to close the building in the early 2000s, after the final blow was delivered by Hurricane Ivan.

The Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation, which manages the Ward Theatre, began restoration work on the site in 2017 to bring it back to full use as a theatre and a centre for cultural expression.

“What is significant to us in the Ward Theatre, though the architecture is important, is the use of the space. The building would have changed several times over the history of the space. What would not have changed is its use as a theatre space. So, part of maintaining the use of the space is keeping up with modern requirements for a theatre,” Mayor of Kingston, Senator Councillor Delroy Williams, tells JIS News.

Some of these modern requirements include infrastructural changes that are being carried out by the KSAMC.

These changes, Mayor Williams assures, are not to modify the history held within the walls of Ward Theatre, but to ensure its viability and resilience in the modern creative climate.

He points out that much progress has been made on the restoration, which includes extensive roofing work, painting, plumbing, retiling and general renovations to the seating areas, the gallery and entrance, bathrooms, dressing rooms, emergency exits and main exit doors.

The KSAMC is now approaching the next phase of renovation, which involves the electrical rewiring and the upgrading of the air-conditioning system.

Mayor Williams says completion of these would mark a “major achievement” in the renovation, after which “there is no turning back”.

The following phase would be to complete the theatre’s stage area.

At the same time, the Mayor discloses that there are plans for the exterior of the Ward Theatre, which is currently being designed.

“We want to start that quickly. We want it to be part of our Kingston 150 Project in that we would complete the design for the front of Ward Theatre and implement,” Mayor Williams shares.

“It is not an elaborate design. It is very simple, but we believe that based on where we are going it will be aesthetically pleasing to the public, which will be part of transforming the entire Parade area. We have identified the funding for that, and the outside should be done before the end of the year,” he says.

Senator Williams explains that the plans for the exterior are not focused on the architecture of the building but rather managing the space at the front of the theatre, which includes managing pedestrian use.

The Ward Theatre was declared a national monument in January 2000 as a protected heritage by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

It is the location where both the People’s National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party were launched in September 1938 and July 1943, respectively. The Ward Theatre also hosted the opening of the National Pantomime annually since 1951.

There has been tremendous support for the Ward’s restoration from key organisational and financial partners, including the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the CHASE Fund and the Tourism Enhancement Fund.

All changes to the building must receive the approval of the JNHT, the entity monitoring the renovations, to ensure that the building’s historical value and integrity are maintained.

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Kingston, 21 March 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has urged the National Council on Reparation to move quickly to finalise the national policy - the Roadmap to Reparation.

Addressing members of the Council at a retreat on Saturday, Minister Grange congratulated them on the work they’ve been doing, but told them that the time had come to step up the pace.

According to Minister Grange, the Council must “seize the moment of the global movement and momentum in favour of the alignment of our local and global human experiences with the human right we have to equality and equity.”

In this regard, the Minister urged the Council to remain singularly focused on developing the Roadmap to Reparation.

Minister Grange said:

“We need a roadmap for legal and diplomatic actions which will bring us monetary reparation. The crafting of a petition is an important start and many thanks to the Council for the tremendous work done in this regard. And I have to single out members [Frank] Phipps and [Anthony] Gifford; and also Mike Henry, though not a member of the Council. Thank you for being so passionate and focused on achieving this goal.

We need that roadmap that will extinguish a debt we have never owed.

We need that roadmap that will see restitution made and institutions established that will show the greatness of our people who were stolen from Africa and in whose name, we will lay our claim for reparation including Repatriation to the Continent…

We need the roadmap to ease of cultural exchange, strategic engagement, strong linkages for commerce, trade, travel, and celebration of each other, with each other.”

Minister Grange said the Roadmap to Reparation must also engage young people from dormancy to full participation in the reparations movement. In this regard, the Minister announced that she would soon assume joint chairmanship of the Council, along with Mrs Laleta Davis Mattis, and would also be expanding the membership of the Council to include the youth, the Attorney General’s Chambers and members of the Diaspora.

The Minster said it was critical that Council ended its weekend retreat with a clear strategy for moving forward with achievable goals.

She urged the Council to continue to “work impatiently for justice for the atrocities committed against our ancestors, and those which flow from this history and persist against our people today…”

The National Council on Reparation is an advisory Council in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. It was established after the Jamaican Parliament unanimously passed a resolution moved by the Honourable Mike Henry to pursue reparations from the British Government, to compensate descendants of Africans, who were enslaved by them.

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Kingston, 1 November 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has been nominated as a Vice President for the UNESCO General Conference scheduled to begin on November 9, 2021 in Paris, France.

Minister Grange’s nomination will be ratified at the beginning of the General Conference.

This important General Conference will, among other things, elect the Director General of UNESCO for the 2021-25 period as well as approve the organisation’s Programme and Budget for the next five years.

Minister Grange previously served as a Vice President at the UNESCO General Conference in 2019. 

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Kingston, 8 September 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced plans for a new monument in tribute to the cultural icon, the Honourable Louise Bennett Coverley.

The new monument will be part of a ‘Miss Lou Corner’ to be established at Emancipation Park in St Andrew.

Minister Grange said:
“Miss Lou Corner will feature a life size statue of our mother of culture, but it will be a statue with a difference. It will depict the love and care Miss Lou had for children. She will be in a sitting position with children having the opportunity to literally sit in her lap, while listening to her reciting poems and telling stories.”

‘Miss Lou Corner’, to be established by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in partnership with the National Housing Trust and Fontana Pharmacy, will be a Jamaica 60 Legacy Project.

Minister Grange made the announcement as she marked the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Miss Lou on Tuesday.

In her tribute, Minister Grange said that Miss Lou "really sensitised successive generations of Jamaicans to the beauty and richness of their mother tongue, music, dance, folklore and heritage; and helped to remove the stigma associated with celebrating Jamaican cultural forms.”

Minister Grange said the Government was working to “ensure that current and future generations are aware of and develop an appreciation for Miss Lou’s significant contribution to Jamaica and our culture.”

In keeping with that commitment, the Government in 2018 established Miss Lou Square in Gordon Town, St Andrew, featuring a life-sized bronze statue of the author, poet, playwright, comedienne, performer, folklorist, social commentator, and children’s champion. It also established the Miss Lou Archive at the National Library of Jamaica in 2019 with information on her life and work. And recently, a mural in her honour was completed at the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica complex in Half Way Tree, St Andrew where Miss Lou hosted her pioneering children’s television programme ‘Ring Ding’ between 1970 and 1982.

The mural is part of a series being done across Jamaica to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

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Kingston, 24 July 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has released the following statement at the passing of Hugh Nash, the former Chairman and Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

Minister’s Statement

“I am deeply saddened at the news of the passing of Mr. Hugh Nash, former Executive Director and Chairman of the JCDC. Nicknamed ‘Mr. Festival’ for his work in positioning the Jamaica Festival movement and cultural development at the centre of national development, Nash was a true Jamaican patriot whose energy and commitment to nation-building knew no bounds as he gave tireless service to this the land of his birth.

Mr. Nash was invited by then Minister of Planning and Development, the late former Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, to develop a document to ensure that culture would play an integral role in the upliftment of the lives of the Jamaican working class. Out of this emerged the Jamaica Festival Commission. When the name was changed to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, he again led the charge to develop the organisation.

He was one of those humble souls who knew only to give his all to care for the working people of Jamaica.

Mr. Nash was instrumental in the organisation of Things Jamaica through which Jamaican craftsmen, women and artisans received support for development, trade and export.

He also helped to establish the Jamaica National Heritage Trust when its name was changed from National Trust Commission.

The achievements of Hugh Nash in national cultural development were anchored in deep knowledge and appreciation for the working class people of Jamaica whom he saw as creators and guardians of our history and culture. He learnt it all by traversing the villages in his parish Manchester, talking and interacting with the people, while cultivating the management and administrative acumen that reflected his leadership of national cultural development.

With Hugh Nash’s passing, Jamaica has lost a great son, cultural icon and tradition bearer, management and leadership expert.

Mr. Nash never said no to any call to serve his beloved Jamaica. He will be sorely missed.

I say to his family: you have given to Jamaica a cultural powerhouse to whom our nation is grateful. May you take comfort in his service to our country.”

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Kingston, 21 April 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has joined the celebration of Groundation Day which commemorates the 1966 visit to Jamaica of Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia.

In her message, Minister Grange said:
“That April 21 was an unforgettable day in Jamaican history when 100,000 Rastafari from all over Jamaica descended on Palisadoes Airport in Kingston playing drums, smoking chalices and chanting Nyabinghi songs as they waited for His Imperial Majesty.

It has been 55 years, yet it has not faded from the memory or importance to the Rastafari community, at home and abroad. The Emperor's visit was a significant moment in the development of the Rastafari religion. Having been treated as outcasts by Jamaican society, the respect and attention the Emperor gave them caused Rastafari to gain a measure of respectability for the first time. Building on that, the Rastafari's Reggae music gained more interest and became commercially viable, leading in turn to the further global spread of the Rastafari movement.

I am happy to see that Jamaica has finally come to accept the positive presence of Rastafari citizens in our nation and their contribution to the development of our country. Our relationships continue to improve, hard barriers have softened and broken fences been repaired. My Government continues to play its part in all this, most recently with our work to repair the wrong done in the Coral Gardens Incident 50 years ago.

It is my pleasure to join the celebration of Groundation Day. I especially welcome this new album of Sacred Rastafari music, adding yet another important milestone for this unique Jamaican community.”

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Kingston, 14 December 2020 – More than 700 participants from 130 countries are registered to participate in the meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage being chaired by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.

The meeting which will run from today (Monday, December 14) to Saturday, December 19 is being held online because of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

Minister Grange said:
“We had hoped to be welcoming you all to Jamaica for the Committee [but] this has not been possible due to the pandemic. However, as your Chairperson, I will do my best to convey to you the Jamaican warmth and hospitality so that you can all feel like you are with us here in Kingston. In short, let’s get together and feel alright."

The Committee will consider 40 requests for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Committee members will also have to decide on four nominations for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding; four projects being proposed for inclusion in the Register of Good Practices for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage; and examine two requests for international assistance submitted by Malawi and the Central African Republic. 

The opening session featured ‘Reggae Greetings from Jamaica’ - a special performance by Jamaican music stars including Peetah Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Marcia Griffiths, and Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru, appearing alongside the Inner Circle Band.

The Committee sessions will be broadcast online at https://ich.unesco.org/en/15com.

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Kingston, 1 August 2020:

“I have seen the media reports regarding the decision of the Supreme Court in a matter to do with the denial of access of a young child to education at a primary school because of her hairstyle.  

Like many of you, I’m extremely concerned about the reports on the decision as reported and I have asked to see the written ruling when it becomes available.  I have also requested that a team involving the Legal Officer in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport reviews the ruling and advise on the next steps.

The Jamaican Constitution, and I was in the House when we passed the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, does not permit discrimination on the basis of religious or cultural practices or race.  So I’m very interested to see on what grounds did the court make the ruling that is being reported.

I made the point in the Sectoral Debate just two weeks ago that “the wider society must also examine its approach to members of the Rastafarian community and pledge to end discrimination that is manifested in our actions, including the denial of school admission to children with locks.”

Two years ago, we passed a new law to bring closure to a painful chapter in history by recognising our heroes and freedom fighters for who they really were; restoring their dignity in the records; and contributing to the healing of their traumatised and wounded descendants.  In that same spirit, I commit to undertake, with the support of my colleagues, the necessary review and action to remove discriminatory policies and laws that still exist. 

Work is already ongoing with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies to ensure that new guidance issued on grooming and appropriate appearance for work or school does not target specific hair textures and hair styles, race or religion.  We must accelerate the finalisation of this new policy.

My Ministry has been charged by Cabinet to establish a Dress Code Commission which is advanced in its work.

A Dress Code Policy will be promulgated very soon to reflect the principles and values of independent Jamaica, promoting respect for our cultural identity and expression; inclusivity and diversity; and will also take into account our other realities, ranging from the economic to the climatic factors. The Policy will set the tone for other needed areas of reform, including changes in our legislation.”

The Honourable Olivia Grange, CD, MP
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport

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Kingston, 21 July 2020 – The 2020 Jamaica Festival Song Album titled ‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ is now listed at number 13 on the Apple Music Reggae Album Chart.

“This is great news for our country and for the finalists,” said Minister Grange as she reacted to the news.

The 2020 Jamaica Festival Song album entered the chart at number 15 and has climbed two places to 13. It means that ‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ is among the most popular Reggae albums downloaded on Apple Music (formerly iTunes).

Minister Grange said:
“This is a great achievement. It is historic. It is the first time that we have had songs in the entry stage making it to an international chart. This says a lot about the renewed interest being showed in the Jamaica Festival Song Competition. The fact that we have so many established performers participating has been a tremendous fillip and this should encourage others in the future to see the competition for what it is; one of the oldest professional singing contests in the world.”

‘Jamaica Festival 2020 Song Competition’ features the top ten finalists this year.

Minister Grange has made an appeal to the public, particularly members of the Jamaican Diaspora to download and stream the Jamaica Festival Song album and add it to their playlists. “This will send the album further up the charts.”

In addition to the Apple Music platform, the 2020 Jamaica Festival Song album is also available for download and streaming on Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music and Tidal.

For the first time the Jamaica Festival Song Competition is being staged as a virtual event due to the necessary restrictions to fight the spread of covid-19. The live performance show of the Jamaica Festival Song competition was broadcast worldwide on Sunday, July 19, and attracted thousands of viewers.

The winner, to be decided by public vote, will be announced this Sunday, July 26, during a live broadcast on TVJ and online to viewers across the world.

Voting lines remain open for the public to choose this year’s winner.

The list of entries and associated voting line follows:

Buju Banton ‘I am a Jamaican’ (876)-444-7701
Xtra Bigg ‘Jamaica a Paradise’ (876)-444-7702
Papa Michigan ‘Jamaica Dance’ (876)-444-7703
Nazzle Man ‘Jamaica Nice’ (876)-444-7704
Shuga 'One People’ (876)-444-7705
Toots & the Maytals ‘Rise up Jamaicans’ (876)-444-7706
Radix OD ‘The Place to Be’ (876)-444-7707
Freddie McGregor ‘Tun up di Sound’ (876)-444-7708
L.U.S.T. ‘Wave Di Flag’ (876)-444-7709
Sakina ‘We are Jamaica’ (876)-444-7710

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