'REFLECTING ON the past; taking charge of the future' is the theme for the 2004 Independence celebrations, which culminate with several activities across the island today.
The celebrations will mark 42 years since the Union Jack was lowered and the black, green and gold Jamaican flag hoisted at the National Stadium for the first time to symbolise Jamaica's sovereignty over its affairs after more than 300 years under British rule.
According to Hopeton Murray, events and commemorations co-ordinator at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), this year's Independence activities will be consistent with the theme of the occasion.
He said the respective parish offices of the JCDC would be staging flag raising ceremonies today to mark the occasion, with numerous street dances planned for this evening.
MAJOR SPONSOR
Telecommunications provider Cable and Wireless will be the major sponsor for the street dances. "One of the things that used to be very good at Independence was the street dances and we thought it would be good to bring them back," Errol Miller, head of corporate communication at Cable and Wireless Jamaica told The Gleaner yesterday.
According to Mr. Murray, the street dances in the rural parishes will feature numerous local performances including winners of the JCDC speech and music competitions while the grand street dance in Half-Way Tree will feature among others, the finalists in the 2004 Popular Song competition.
Last night the annual 'Mello Go Round' was held at the National Arena to launch the Independence celebrations. The event was usually held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre but was changed to the Arena this year to accommodate more patrons.
