AS talks of Jamaica becoming a republic intensify, Alando Terrelonge ­— state minister in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport — is suggesting it would be fitting to rename some roads in honour of the country’s cultural icons.

He was a guest at the Jamaica Creative Writing Competition Awards Ceremony and Exhibition held at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston last Wednesday. The event was organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission.

“As we move towards becoming a republic in this our 60th year (of Independence), I will continue to advocate for literary cultural icons Louise Bennett and Bob Marley to be named [national] heroes of our new republic. As a republic, it would be a fitting tribute to our cultural heroes to rename some of the roads in Kingston, and across Jamaica, in their honour. Roads that were named to revere the British Monarchy such as King Street, East and West Queen Streets, Duke Street, Princess Street must be renamed to pay homage to our cultural giants who have made Jamaica a global cultural powerhouse and Kingston a UNESCO Creative City of Music,” he said.

“Princess Street could be renamed in honour of Millie Small, Duke street renamed in honour of The Skatalites, King Street in honour of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, and East and West Queen streets in honour of Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths, respectively. Naming Bob and Louise heroes of the new republic, and renaming these roads to celebrate Jamaican cultural icons, would be transformational as we grow as a new republic, and certainly inspire the next generation to greatness,” Terrelonge added.

In March, during the visit of Prince William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Jamaica intends to cut ties with the British Monarchy and move towards becoming a republic.

“Jamaica is, as you would see, a country that is very proud of our history and very proud of what we have achieved. And we are moving on and we intend to attain, in short order, our development goals and fulfil our true ambitions and destiny as an independent, developed, prosperous country,” said Holness, during a courtesy call paid to the Office of the Prime Minister by the royals.

In November 2021, Barbados parted ways with The Queen and became a republic. Weeks after, Holness said there was “no doubt that Jamaica has to become a republic.”

The Jamaica Creative Writing Competition Awards Ceremony and Exhibition saw more than 100 writers from ages 12 to 74 receiving honours. They include: Denise Brown (Best Overall Writer); Clyve Brown (Outstanding Writer); David McAdam (Special Writer); Collette Robinson (Choice Writer); and, Sean Harrison (Noteworthy Writer).

The JCDC, since 1963, has used its annual Jamaica Creative Writing Competition and Exhibition as a platform for local writers to develop and showcase their talents by way of their original literary works.

“As we celebrate our 60th year of Independence, it’s important that we celebrate and highlight our literary talents, who have brought, and who continue to bring much global recognition to Jamaica,” said Terrelonge. Literary cultural giants like Louise Bennett, Claude McKay, Mervyn Morris, Olive Senior, and Bob Marley who transformed his literary masterpieces into the powerful sounds of reggae music. This year’s literary festival is really important because it highlights the talent that exists in Jamaica, and most importantly, it celebrates the achievements in poetry of our next generation of young kings and queens,” he noted.

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