Biggest Reggae Month Celebration Being Planned

Olivia Grange, the Minister of Culture revealed that there is widespread interest in the upcoming Reggae Month celebration that is scheduled for February. She believes it will be the biggest since 2008 when Reggae Month was celebrated for the first time.

She said many events will be planned for places right across the island in order to foster local participation and inclusiveness.

She also said, “Our lead-up to February’s Reggae Month has covered a lot of ground, both locally and internationally, to where I am confident that this will be the biggest and best even.” “We have been putting in the work, and the feedback we have been getting from all our partners have been nothing short of amazing.”

Grange reported that she has given a directive for events that are being held locally to be more inclusive, she pointed to the importance of the sound systems to the evolution of reggae, and also spoke about the scores of pioneers who played their part in taking the genre “from Jamaica to inside the hallways of the Grammy Awards”.

“A deliberate attempt has been made to broaden the scope as it relates to what will be presented to the public.” She added.

Getting Everyone Involved

“We have to do it in such a way where there is a national buy-in and where there is a feeling that there is something in it for everyone, we are introducing and have identified some areas that we want to focus the country on” Grange said.

She was equally thrilled that Reggae Month 2020 will be celebrated along with the 75th birthday of Jamaica’s own musical icon, the late Bob Marley.

There are plans to incorporate events “to show our respect to one of the greatest musicians ever and also to one of our national assets”, she added.

Several of Jamaica’s music greats are from Clarendon, including Toots Hibbert, Cocoa Tea and Denroy Morgan.