Jamaica 50 UK launch message

Jamaica 50 celebration launched in the UK Kingston, December 13, 2011 - The United Kingdom leg of the global celebrations to mark Jamaica's 50th year of Independence in 2012 was launched yesterday (Tuesday) in London. The programme of activities in the UK will begin in January and continue throughout the year in major cities and towns including London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Leeds and Reading. The celebration activities involve concerts, fashions show, sports events, conferences, lectures, dinners, balls and a cultural summer camp for youth. Addressing the launch ceremony via video link from Kingston, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange, invited the whole of the United Kingdom to join the celebrations which she said would "highlight Jamaica's nation building experience and the many successes of its people."