KINGSTON, Jamaica - The Golden Jubilee Village, which is considered the soul and pulse of Jamaica 50 celebrations, was launched yesterday.

The Village is located at the National Arena and begins on August 1st until the 6th. Activities start at noon daily and ends at 1:00AM, said project director of the Jamaica 50 secretariat, Robert Bryan.

Jamaica 50 has 21 sponsors, Bryan said, who have contributed in excess of $200 million.

Activities at the Village will be broadcast to other locations in each parish with content being shared among them. Additionally, coverage of the Village will be streamed to the United Kingdom, USA and Canada on the 5th and 6th so "the country needs to be on its best behaviour", Bryan said.

Despite the focus on Jamaica 50, he said, the elements of the celebrations can be used to create an annual event that can be stitched together and marketed globally.

It is something worth establishing going forward, Bryan said, adding that it presents a "glorious opportunity" for the nation.