The naming of Bob Marley as a National Hero, plus a national holiday in his honour were two proposals thrown out to the public yesterday at the International Press Launch of the Bob Marley 60th anniversary celebrations to be held next year.
The launch appropriately took place at the Bob Marley Museum on Hope Road in St.Andrew. and drew representatives from corporate Jamaica, Government, and media.Monday's launch was the Jamaican leg of a similar launch which was held in Ethiopia two weeks ago. Both launches symbolise the 60th birthday celebrations which will kick off on February first next year both in Ethiopia and Jamaica.
The thrust to have Marley named a hero was announced by Jacqueline Knight-Campbell, representative of the Top Klass Management Consultancy, agents who are planning the celebrations in Jamaica.
She told the gathering that a committee headed by Leachim Semaj will continuously press for Marley's birthday to be named a national holiday, and they will work to secure more accolades for the reggae legend.
Worldwide campaign
"We want to create a worldwide campaign for this theme, 'The Legend Lives On', because it will not only be a week's celebration next year but for the entire year," she told the gathering.
The Jamaican leg of the proposed year long celebration should see among other things a series of concerts and festivals in Kingston and St Ann, an exhibition, and a lecture series, all under the theme 'The Legend Lives On'. In Ethiopia, there will be parades, exhibitions, concerts and fund-raising banquets among other things as well.
Other speakers at the launch were Dr Desta Meghoo-Peddie, managing director of the Bob Marley Foundation, and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry and Tourism the Hon. Wykeham McNeill.
McNeill stated that the celebrations are poised to significantly push tourism in 2005. "For us here in Jamaica the concerts, exhibitions, lectures and other activities planned for February will have the potential to boost tourist traffic to the island," he noted.
"Certainly the events complement our efforts at boosting cultural tourism, allowing us to showcase the mosaic of places, traditions, art forms, celebrations and experiences that reflect the diversity and character of Jamaica."
The Marley 60th birthday celebrations will be staged jointly by the Bob Marley and Rita Marley Foundations along with several sponsors. It coincides with their joint initiative 'Africa Unite', which is aimed at addressing poverty, conflict resolution, youth issues and other global problems
