EDITORIAL: Jamaica Grand Gala to focus on music! HUH?

The idea to celebrate Jamaica’s music culture at the Grand Gala on August 6th, is a good one. However it seems redundant, and evidence of a government being only too timid to put the strength of its creative mind in proper perspective

A release by the Jamaica Information Service at THIS LINK publicises that this year’s Grand Gala will celebrate Jamaica’s musical culture.
A number of Jamaicans who love the music, and international visitors of course will be happy. This however raises questions. Is this an attempt to capture the audience and support of events dedicated to music forms such as Sumfest, Jazz festival etc? If so, is this a changing of responsibilities assumed by the Jamaica Culture Development Commission (JCDC).
The JCDC entity ‘is placing more emphasis on the celebration package,’ and it would be good as a tourism package for numerous reasons. The aim of the Gala should neither be lost nor become vague however.
It is foremostly a celebration of our Independence and relating events – emphasis on who we are as Jamaicans, for Jamaicans. A birthday party for all Jamaica, and perhaps the only gift we can claim as always being our own annually.

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