Jamaica Independence Festival

The Jamaica Independence Festival is a celebration of Jamaica's independence, a status gained in 1962.

History

The festival was initiated in 1962 by then Minister of Community Development (and later Prime Minister) Edward Seaga, to showcase literary, fine, and performing artists, [1] and to celebrate "things Jamaican".[2] The festival was considered integral to national development as a way of giving Jamaicans a sense of who they are, and what their history and culture is all about.[2] The festival was scheduled for the first Monday in August, to coincide with the holiday to celebrate both independence and emancipation.[1] The festival includes agricultural exhibitions, and street parades, climaxing in a grand gala at Kingston's National Stadium. Supporting events take place all over the island. A formal organizing group, the Jamaica Festival Commission was established by an act of parliament in 1968, which became the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) by another parliamentary act in 1980.[2] Today, the administrative structure includes a large volunteer-base with a JCDC officer appointed to oversee activities in each parish. The festival now includes the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Contest, a national Mento band competition, and a Gospel song competition.[2]

One of the highlights of the festival is the Popular Song Competition (before 1990 known as the Independence Festival Song Competition), which first took place in 1966, and has been won by artists such as The Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Freddie McKay, and Eric Donaldson.[1]

Popular Song Competition

The Popular Song Competition has taken place since 1966, with the winners as follows:

[3][4]

In 2004, in a move to widen the genre of entries submitted, the JCDC announced a $1 million grand prize to be shared among songwriter, singer and producer of the winning entry.[5] By 2010 the prize had risen to a million dollars and a car.[3]

In 2008, the JCDC announced that the Jamaican Festival Song Competition title would return, running in parallel with the Popular Song Competition, hoping that the previous title would re-create feelings of celebration among Jamaicans at Independence time.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Thompson, Dave (2002). Reggae & Caribbean Music. Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-655-6.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Rebecca Tortello (July 2002). "The History of Jamaica Festival". The Gleaner. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
  3. 1 2 "Kharuso is Mr Festival; collects historic $1m cheque from Claro", Jamaica Observer, 1 August 2010, retrieved 2011-07-16
  4. ↑ Walters, Basil (2012) "Sounds of silence: Radio stations say JCDC slow off the mark", Jamaica Observer, 15 July 2012, retrieved 2012-07-15
  5. ↑ "JCDC Announces Grand Prize of $1 Million for Song Competition". Jamaica Information Service. March 2004. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
  6. ↑ "Festival competition back for 2008". Jamaica Observer. February 2008. Archived from the original on 15 February 2008. Retrieved 10 February 2008.
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