Jamaica is the world’s youngest and smallest cultural superpower. No nation so young and so small has made such a global cultural impact.

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) country profiles nearly all focus on politics, economics, or war. Jamaica’s begins: “Known for its strong sense of self-identity expressed through its music, food, and rich cultural mix, Jamaica’s influence extends far beyond its shores.” (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-18784061)

Such a country’s Independence festivities would be among the planet’s most vibrant. But, Google top independence celebrations and Jamaica is not even mentioned in the top 10 — India, Ghana, Mexico, Phillippines, France, Indonesia, Ukraine, Israel, Peru, Australia (www.frommers.com).

Ghana jumps out: “The country commemorates its freedom with fireworks, parades, and marches. But celebrations are not complete without street parties and jams. The coastal region celebrates independence day on the beach with music and dances.”

The first indispensable element for any exciting annual event is a regular calendar schedule that allows for proper planning. But our Independence and Emancipation days fall whenever August 1 and 6 dictate. Such staggering makes pre-planned programmes impossible.

In 2020 the Ministry of Culture commissioned a Don Anderson poll about an annual fixed ‘Emancipendence’ four-day-long weekend holiday. It would be a similar setup as Good Friday through Easter Monday. The Emancipation Day holiday would be celebrated on the first Friday in August, and the Independence Day holiday on the following Monday, creating a Friday to Monday holiday. Official ceremonies would still be observed on August 1 and August 6. Sixty-two per cent supported the proposed change and only 26 per cent opposed it, signifying very strong acceptance.

The poll also proposed establishing a new national honour for Jamaica’s cultural icons, beginning with Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett and Robert “Bob” Marley. This had virtually universal support with 82 per cent in favour and only 8 per cent against.

Establishing Emancipation Day as a public holiday in 1998 by then Prime Minister P J Patterson was an inspired move. It deepened Jamaicans’ understanding of their history, reinforced the cultural continuity that is the bedrock of the country’s exceptional sense of identity, and strengthened our universally admired national self-confidence. But with Emancipation Day now firmly entrenched in the national mindset, perhaps this very good idea can be made even better.

From 1962 to 1997 the Independence holiday was the first Monday in August. It was certainly not celebrated with any less passion than today. Fears that moving away from fixed August 1 Emancipation Day and August 6 Independence Day dates would lessen the meaning and the fervour of commemoration are groundless. Four consecutive non-working days vibes would produce an even more ‘intensified’ festival.

The Bahamas, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua, St Kitts, and St Vincent already have a ‘first Monday in August’ Emancipation holiday. In Antigua, both the first Monday and Tuesday in August are holidays, and Monday is J’Ouvert, a street party that mimics the early-morning emancipation.

A four-day Emancipendence holiday would have immense economic and cultural benefits. It would mean many more stage shows, street dances, and beach parties around the island, amplifying the vibes and the attraction of our festival holidays to foreign tourists and the Jamaican Diaspora. When August 1 and 6 fall midweek, even homesick yardies often can’t bother with a disjointed visit. Think how many overseas Jamaicans would love to come and spend Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday with their families uninterrupted by work.

Four-straight, non-working days would also mean an even bigger and more hyped Dream Weekend in Negril, again drawing more foreign visitors and boosting tourism. A last weekend in July with Reggae Sumfest, followed by a four-day Emancipendence bashment at the beginning of August, could become an internationally recognised ‘World’s Greatest 12-Day Party’, as big as, or even bigger than Trinidad Carnival.

The culturally-minded could go to Kingston and take in, for instance, Thursday night: Mello Go Round, Friday Daytime: Mass singalong at Emancipation Park, Friday night: Festival queen pageant, Saturday: Carnival-style reggae & dancehall street parade, Sunday: Family-friendly street dances in every town centre, with a massive street dance on a blocked off Knutsford Boulevard, Monday Evening: Grand gala. What an unforgettable holiday for the thousands who would come from near and far!

Some short-sightedly believe that Independence celebrations are a meaningless waste of scarce resources. Yet such celebrations are a part of a growing worldwide phenomenon known as the Festival Economy, which is generating serious economic spin-offs for countries smart enough to embrace and invest in their culture.

Carnival in places like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Trinidad are cases in point. Revenue from Trinidad’s Carnival exceeds US$100 million ($15 billion) without even factoring in the huge income multiplier effects. Our own Jamaica Carnival is significantly increasing visitor arrivals and spending. Jamaica Festival is already perhaps the biggest and most lucrative arts/entertainment festival in this region. The four-day Emancipendence holiday could only make everything bigger and better.

We have been talking about maximising our cultural advantages for a long time. Now is the time to put talk into action. Let the Ministry of Culture set itself the concrete goal of creating one of the world’s top 10 independence celebrations in five years. Let us cement our global reputation as the planet’s ‘vibesiest’ and most culturally exciting country. The first step must be to create a regular scheduled window for all engagers, engagees, and potential participants.

The Don Anderson poll shows 62 per cent of Jamaicans in favour of a four-day Emancipation holiday. The economic potential of such a move is crystal clear. What is the Government waiting on? Andrew Holness claims to be a prime minister who listens. So why is he not carrying out the will of the majority of the Jamaican people? Making Jamaica’s Emancipendence celebrations the world’s best must be a goal the entire country can unite around.

Olivia “Babsy” Grange, perhaps the most dynamic culture minister in recent memory, has a long and distinguished involvement in the entertainment industry from all possible angles. She surely has the vision and necessary linkages to garner support from all stakeholders, create a public-private partnership, and turn this dream into reality.

As Tinga Stewart sang in Nuh Wey Nuh Betta Dan Yard:

“All nation have them sensation

And every nation have them botheration

This is the time for a happy dedication

No bother fuss enjoy the celebration.”

And when it comes to national vibes, why should anywhere be “betta dan yard”?

Kevin O’Brien Chang is an entrepreneur and public commentator. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or kob.chang@fontanapharmacy.com.