Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) To Host Island-Wide Bob Marley Symposia

KINGSTON, Jamaica – “We don’t need no trouble … What we need is love” is the theme for the annual Bob Marley Symposia scheduled for Monday, February 2 to Friday, February 5, 2010.

Organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) in association with the Bob Marley Museum, the symposia will feature presentations in tribute to the late reggae icon, by renowned musician Ibo Cooper O.D., musician and producer Grub Cooper O.D., Rev. Dr Basil Chambers J.P. and Howard Hendricks.Also included in the symposia are the finals of the inaugural Bob Marley Secondary Schools Debate Competition and the annual Bob Marley Song Re-Arrangement Competition.

A total of four regional symposia will be hosted across the island, the first of which will be held at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre in Kingston on February 2 followed by the northern region symposium on February 3 at the College of Agricultural Science Education (CASE) in Portland.

Symposia will also be held on February 4 and 5 at the Sean Lavery Faith Hall, Westmoreland and the St. Matthews Anglican Church, St. Elizabeth respectively.

The Wolmer’s Boys School, Ardrenne High, St. Mary High, Marymount High, Cornwall College, Little London High School, are among the contenders in the debate competition who topped over forty secondary schools island- wide for a place in the finals. They will argue the moots, “Bob Marley’s messages are more than social commentary but revolutionary” and “Bob Marley’s messages invoke more revolution than love” during the symposia.

The Bob Marley Song Rearrangement Competition will see choirs and ensembles from schools across the island remaking selected songs written by Bob Marley. The winners of both competitions will walk away with trophies and other prizes courtesy of Excelsior, Sangster’s Book Store, CARIMED, Appliance Traders, Digicel and the Bob Marley Museum.

The public is invited to attend the symposia and admission is free.