The Festival celebrations and national unity

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I REMEMBER clearly August 6, 1962 standing, a small 12-year-old girl, between my parents at the National Stadium at the stroke of midnight. As the Union Jack was lowered our national flag was raised. The still coolness of the air was broken by strong chords of our National Anthem being played and sung officially for the very first time. I happened to glance up at my father, dressed in a crisp grey suit, in time to see tears rolling down his cheeks. I remember hearing his stoic rendition of the National Anthem coming through a voice quivering with emotion. Later that morning after the ceremony I walked, my parents on either side, down Mountain View Avenue back to our home on Windward Road.

For me, Festival over the years has always been a time of pride and joy as I seem to have inherited the patriotism of my parents. With family and friends I attended grand galas, float parades, street dances, beauty pageants and mello-go-round concerts. More recently I have attended other Festival events as my own children have become involved. Proudly I listened as my son read his silver medal poem at the Literary Arts Competition awards ceremony. Proudly I viewed his unique work of art among the pieces at the fine arts exhibition.

Again, with pride I watched my younger son along with other young sons and daughters of Jamaica take their places on stage in precision timing. Expertly they performed their national gold items at the best of Festival concerts.

While watching these performances, I marvel at the explosion of beauty and excellence displayed. But I am more awed when I think of what must have gone on behind the scenes - the dedication of teachers, the many hours spent productively in practising, the bonding which undoubtedly took place between teachers and performers in order to produce such high standards.

Commendations to the JCDC, the Institute of Jamaica and other groups that have stuck to the mandate of "unearthing, developing and showcasing" national talent. At the end of one of these concerts this year my husband and I rushed over to greet our reigning Festival Queen. We expressed how happy we were to meet her. Quickly and selflessly she turned to another queen nearby whom we had not seen and said smiling: "You can meet two of us."

In recent times as I participate in our Festival celebrations a question which seems to have no answer keeps returning to my mind. Jamaica, Jamaica why the fussing and fighting? Why the shooting and killing? Why revenge and reprisal? Can't we hear the cry of our forefathers? Up ye mighty race!

Be led instead by the beauty of our culture, the beauty of the arts that resides so much in us.

In all that we do strain after the high ideals of excellence, beauty, selflessness, peace, order and good sense. Up ye mighty race! We're not there yet, though year after year our festival celebrations point the way.

I am, etc.,

MERLINE BROWN

34 N.W. 4th Terrace

Lot 353, 7 West

Gr. Portmore,

St. Catherine

Back to Letters