Grange Calls on Jamaicans to Show ‘Spirit of Independence’

August 2, 2016August 3, 2016 News Room

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange shows delight at a job well done by the Jamaica Information Service (JIS). Sharing in the occasion is the CEO of the JIS, Donna Marie Rowe and Executive Director of Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Dr Delroy Gordon. The Minister was on hand to view the ‘Spirit of Independence’ display, which depicts features of Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage, including Johnkunnu characters (‘The Devil’ and ‘Belly Woman’), JIS decorated its offices as part of the ‘Spirit of Independence’ Competition.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Friday, July 29, 2016 – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange has called on all store owners and operators of public and private sector entities to decorate their windows, business places and town centres in the national colours, in an effort to depict the ‘spirit of independence’.

“We have much to celebrate this emancipation and independence, our rich culture continues to be of great influence, the fighting spirit of our ancestors live on and our athletes are making us proud at various championships and will do so at the upcoming Rio Olympics. The black, green and gold in our national flag define who we are as a nation and a people and we must showcase that this season,” Minister Grange urged.

To increase participation in the celebratory activities and to get persons in the spirit of independence, the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), ran the ‘Spirit of Independence’ competition which encouraged private and public organisations to decorate their buildings with the national colours, company colours and the colours of the 2016 festival fashion theme: ‘Wear it Gold and Stripe it Bold’.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange shares lens time with CEO, Jamaica Information Service, Donna Marie Rowe and members of her staff outside the JIS Head Office in Kingston. The Minister was on hand to view the “Spirit of Independence” display mounted by the JIS as a part of the ‘Spirit of Independence’ Competition, organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).

“It is still important for individuals to decorate their surroundings with the national colours, creating an environment which illustrates that we are all proud to be Jamaicans,” the Culture Minister added.

Minister Grange also indicated that the process of decorating buildings and wearing clothes in the festival fashion theme offers economic benefit to the nation and its people as dressmakers and tailors are able to earn an income through the use of their skills.

She further expressed that this year’s theme ‘Let’s Get Together and Feel Alright’ is a call for unity and togetherness.

“Let us all get involved in the activities that are happening across the island. Come out to the Seville Emancipation Jubilee on July 31st, visit the Independence Village, Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, from August 1-6, for a number of fun and exciting activities throughout the day and night. Our Grand Gala will be a spectacular event on Independence Day at the National Stadium, August 6, with the inclusion of ‘Saga Boy’ and ‘Tan Tan from renowned Trinidadian artist, Peter Minshall,” the Minister said.