Emancipation Jubilee celebrates:: Echoes Of The Past
July 08, 2009
Kingston, Jamaica
The Jamaica National Heritage Trust invites the nation to join in celebrating the emancipation of enslaved Africans at the 13th anniversary of Emancipation Jubilee at Seville Heritage Park in St. Ann. Under the theme 'Echoes of Our Past', Emancipation Jubilee will bring us closer to the soul of our enslaved ancestors through interactive performances in music, dance, spoken words and drama.
Emancipation Jubilee will begin at 5:00pm on July 31st, 2009 with festivities continuing until the early morning of August 1st. Within the backdrop of a slave market and an Auction Block, the festival will showcase a cultural symposium, featuring traditional and contemporary performances from Dance Theatre Xaymaca, Deh Jah Dance Theatre among others, spiritual drumming from Jamaican Maroons, notable storytellers, kumina sessions, ring games, mento bands and popular artists including Etana, Jimmy Riley and festival song winner Roy Rayon and many others whose music declare the call for the justice, the peace and the love our ancestors fought for. There will also be a fashion show, featuring clothing from Shades of Africa, Solaris Swimwear and others, patrons will have an opportunity to reflect on how our past has shaped our present
There will also be a display of craft and cultural items available for sale. Patrons are also reminded to bring their enamel mugs for limitless cups of 'Chawklit Tea'. The blowing of the Abeng, lighting of torches, drumming and music will transport the audience to days gone by.
A traditional feature of Jubilee is the laying of wreaths on the graves of our African ancestors which will be enhanced with the invoking of our ancestors through the voices of a mass choir including Nexus and Carifolk Singers.
Tickets for the show cost $800 for adults and $300 for children and are available at the JNHT Head Office at 79 Duke Street and at Seville Heritage Park.
Come celebrate the journey to freedom that began with emancipation.
For further information contact:
Andrea Braham
Public Relations Officer
Jamaica National Heritage Trust
922-1287 / 922-3990
