Thousands expected for Emancipation Jubilee event
Published:Friday | July 22, 2016 | 12:00 AM
More than 6,000 patrons are expected to attend the 19th staging of the Emancipation Jubilee to be held at the Seville Heritage Park in St Ann.
The cultural event, to be held under the theme 'United and Free ... What a Jubilee', will be held from July 31 into Emancipation Day on August 1.
It is being organised by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) under the patronage of Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange.
The annual celebration, which commemorates Jamaica's emancipation in 1834, showcases the island's unique culture through song, dance, drumming, drama, food and fashion.
PARTNERSHIPS
Project consultant for the event, Joan Seagears, said that in addition to the usual support from Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora, the JNHT is looking to attract more foreigners to the Emancipation Jubilee.
She said the agency is partnering with some hotels to promote the event among their guests. One major sponsor is Jewel Resorts Jamaica.
HERITAGE TOURISM
Seagears said Emancipation Jubilee, along with the staging of other cultural activities throughout the year in the parish, has the potential to boost heritage tourism.
"What I would hope to see is continuity in the form of other people trying to promote this cultural heritage. I would love to see other hotels in Jamaica showcasing our unique culture. I would encourage most of the hotel owners and entertainment managers to just look at our country and look at our culture and start using our people," she noted.