Bustamante’s 142nd birthday celebrations scaled down for economic reasons

Western Bureau:

As was the case last year, the celebration to mark the birthday of National Hero Sir Alexander Bustamante, at his birthplace in Blenheim, Hanover, has been scaled down because of lack of funding to stage the event in the traditional way.

The annual event, which is staged on February 24 and usually features a cultural package with performances from students and cultural groups, alongside messages from entities such as the JLP and the Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU), which were both founded by Sir Alexander, will only feature a wreath-laying ceremony this year.

Based on information from the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), which is responsible for planning and staging the event, there will be no civic ceremony this year, which is the 142nd anniversary of Sir Alexander’s birth.

While the estimated cost for staging the various events, which would have formed a part of this year’s celebrations, was not disclosed, the estimate for the wreath-laying event in 2025 was said to be $150,000, while the civic ceremony was estimated to cost J$800,000.

According to Shiyan Williams, the JCDC parish manager for Hanover, at an online meeting on February 13, which involved the local planning committee and JCDC officials from Kingston, the decision was taken to scale down the event this year.

WREATH-LAYING

“The decision coming out of the meeting is that we are going to have one wreath laid, so it is going to be more of a photo-opp,” said Williams. “The custos of Hanover will lay the wreath, and we are going to be inviting heads of agencies, so we are not doing the big crowd.”

Williams said the planned wreath laying would take place at the birthplace of Sir Alexander, in Blenheim. She said the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) has confirmed that the house, which is being maintained by them, is in good condition.

Quizzed as to why this year’s staging is being scaled down, Williams explained that it was for economic reasons relating to the passage of Hurricane Melissa last October.

“The country is focusing on recovery from Melissa, and the municipal corporation does not have any money, and the JCDC does not have any money,” she said.

However, the decision to scale down the event has not gone down well with some of the schools that have been regular participants in the celebrations over the years.

“I have seen where less important events have been financed and held under the claim that they will help in uplifting the spirits of people after the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, but it does not seem like it’s important to lift the spirits of the rural adults and children,” a primary school teacher told The Gleaner.

“It would have been so nice to take even a few children from this school, as we usually do, whatever form the event takes, just to take their minds off the trauma they went through, evidence of which still surrounds them daily,” she added.

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