JCDC celebrates partners and sponsors

Last Tuesday’s affair on the Roof Terrace, Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport was “not an occasion for speechification”, as Jamaica Cultural Development (JCDC) Executive Director, Lenford Salmon, said. It was a time to celebrate partnerships, show gratitude, and simply have a good time.

Under the theme ‘Celebrating the Partners Behind the Success’ the ministry and the JCDC showed their appreciation to sponsors and media that continue to support the development and promotion of Jamaica’s cultural and creative industries.

Salmon said he was grateful that “sponsors still found space to sponsor the events put on by the JCDC” and, without much ado, he handed over the mic to the person who “is always working and planning and executing and dreaming”, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange.

Minister Grange emphasised that “every contribution matters”.

“Every partnership makes a difference. Every story told, every performance supported, and every opportunity created helps to ensure that our culture remains a living, growing expression of who we are,” the culture minister said, as she agreed with Salmon that it was not a time for long speeches, because the domino tables were set up and waiting and there was lots of refreshment to enjoy.

She added, “Without media partners, we would be the best kept secret. Thanks for commitment and bringing the spirit of Jamaica 64 to life.”

The minister pointed out that Independence, which is one of the most significant moments in the national almanac, “it is more than a date on the calendar”.

“It is an expression of our identity, our resilience, our creativity and our shared aspirations for the future. It is a time when we reflect on our journey as a people, celebrate how far we have come, honour those who paved the way, and renew our commitment to building an even stronger Jamaica,” Grange stated.

The Jamaica 64 celebrations, the minister said, created opportunities for Jamaicans at home and abroad to connect with the stories, traditions, talents and achievements that make us who we are.

With Jamaica 64 now a treasured memory, the country is already preparing for a bashment celebration of Jamaica 65. The minister shared that every five years is a milestone “and, despite [Hurricane] Melissa, we will mark the milestone”.

She disclosed that there will be top-tier events and celebration for Jamaica 65, and stated that the JCDC has already started to execute its mission.

“As we reflect, we must also look ahead to the opportunities before us. The JCDC has already hit the ground with its programmes for Jamaica 65. Workshops in the performing arts are taking place across the island, and entries open[ed] for the Festival of the Performing Arts, Miss Jamaica Festival Queens, Jamaica Festival Song Competition and Jamaica Gospel Star on November 1.”

And, speaking of the various JCDC competitions, Minister Grange took a stroll down memory lane, noting that Bob Marley & The Wailers also entered the Festival Song Competition. That was in the year 1970, with a song titled Soul Shakedown Party. The song lost out to Hopeton Lewis’s winning entry, Boom Shacka Lacka, however, Soul Shakedown Party became an enduring reggae favourite and a classic dance floor hit.

It was appropriate that it was the 2026 Festival Song winner, d’Burnz, who showcased his talents as he thoroughly entertained sponsors and media last Tuesday. He opened with a suite of Dennis Brown songs including Revolution and Black Roses before doing his popular winning song, I Love Jamaica. He had the gathering singing the chorus word-for-word and dancing in their seats.

Sponsors who received awards were the CHASE Fund, Television Jamaica, Wray & Nephew and the National Housing Trust, and all who attended were given tokens of appreciation, before the dominoes started banging on tables and the socialising went into high gear.

Piloting the proceedings was Andrea McCurdy.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com