Heritage Fest 2024 to celebrate living legends

The Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) will this year stage Heritage Fest under the theme Living Legends: Treasures of Jamaica, as they showcase a cultural celebration designed to highlight the traditional crafts that have been integral to Jamaica’s identity.

Scheduled for October 24 at York Castle High School in St Ann, Heritage Fest will pay tribute to Jamaica’s living legends – cultural artisans whose mastery of drum-making, candy-making, abeng-making, and book-binding has long been central to the island’s cultural identity.

“Many of these traditional crafts are slowly disappearing, and it’s crucial for us at the Institute of Jamaica to not only celebrate these practitioners but also to ensure that their skills are passed on and taught to the younger generation,” said Michele Creed-Nelson, executive director at the IOJ.

“Heritage Fest 2024 is not just about paying tribute to the past; it’s about securing the future of these cultural practices and keeping them alive,” Creed-Nelson added.

The festival will feature documentary screenings and live performances, showcasing these invaluable skills to ensure their preservation of these traditional skills which are waning as modern practices take over.

Through interactive sessions, live demonstrations, and screenings, Heritage Fest 2024 will engage students, educators, and cultural enthusiasts, giving them the opportunity to learn from the artisans themselves and understand the vital role these crafts play in shaping Jamaica’s national identity.