Jamaica’s 60th anniversary year of independence programme of festivities was launched in the UK under the theme “Reigniting a nation of greatness”.

Along with the festivities in Jamaica, 2022 will also include cultural activities in the UK as well, with a number of activities set around the commonwealth games in Birmingham.

The official UK launch of the celebrations was launched by the Minister of tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett and the minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, Hon. Olivia Grange at an event at White city studio in London on 25 April. The event saw more than 200 industry leaders and media in attendance. Guests enjoyed an array of performances from artists like saxophonist Lascelles James, Poet David Neita, queen of lover’s rock Carroll Thompson and reggae talent, Bitty Mclean.

New annual trade event introduces Jamaican food brands to the UK market

Speaking at the launch was Minister Bartlett, who encouraged the diaspora to think big and innovatively. He said: “We need the diaspora to continue to create new ideas that can be honed, converted and monetized.”

Minister Bartlett added: “We are sixty. Sixty bold, brave years in which Jamaica and the Jamaican community has had an impressive impact on cultures around the world. We’ll be marking this anniversary with a year of cultural activity throughout the year making this the year to visit Jamaica. And we’ll also bring the celebrations to the UK with lots of activity around the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham this summer.”

“We’ll be marking this anniversary with a year of cultural activity throughout the year making this the year to visit Jamaica.”

“We’re delighted that our British visitor numbers are already getting back to pre-pandemic levels,” he said, “and our increased airlift and removal of Covid testing means we expect 2022 to be a true year of recovery. We expect to close 2022 having welcomed a total of 3.2 million visitors contributing more than three billion US dollars to our economy.”

Our photographer went to Jamaica, and all we got was stunning shots

Minister Grange said: “Our government has always taken the position that milestone celebrations such as Jamaica 60, must include projects that will benefit our country for generations to come. Among the legacy projects to begin this year are the redevelopment of National stadium, the establishment of a Jamaica Sports Museum & Sports Hall of Fame and the establishment of the Harry Belafonte National Concert Hall.”

Events and festivals planned for Jamaica at 60 2022 include:

The Kingston Biennial Exhibition: Pressure will open in the National Gallery of Jamaica on June 26, 2022, and close on December 31. Leading up to the opening there will be several interactive online seminars including The Cultural History of Art Institutions in Jamaica.

The Independence Village is an annual festival held in the week before Independence Day and the Grand Gala on 6 August at the National Arena in Kingston. The Independence Village 2022 will run from July 29 to August 7 as a showcase of Jamaica’s rich culture and heritage it includes free family activities, concerts displays and markets.

Jamaica Rum Festival will be a celebration of Jamaica’s excellence in rum, art and music, with a mixture of virtual and in-person events in Montego Bay on Saturday June 2. Through live seminars, demonstrations and accompanied by live music, attendees will learn about the Jamaican rum process, the various types and the different ways it can be enjoyed in an interactive and enjoyable experience.

Bands and fetes are already gearing up for what will be Jamaica’s first summer Carnival. The Carnival in Jamaica has moved from its traditional April slot and will begin on July 1 and culminate in a grand road parade in Kingston on July 10.

Reggae Sumfest visitors will drench themselves in sound at Jamaica’s largest annual music festival which is acclaimed for performances from the best dancehall and reggae artists in the world, combined with tropical beach parties and street parties. This year Reggae Sumfest is being held in Montego Bay between 20 and 23 July and Shenseea has just been announced as its headliner. Outside the reggae scene, Shenseea is most well known for her collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion on ‘Lick’.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s website: www.visitjamaica.com