Nassau, The Bahamas – The green light is on for Junior Junkanoo’s Silver Jubilee celebration, Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, Daniel Johnson has confirmed.
It will bring together schools and youth groups in The Bahamas in a three-day cultural extravaganza.
In keeping with the Government’s vision to create a Junkanoo season over a 12-day period, ending on New Year’s Day, it is being proposed that three days, beginning December 13, be set aside for Junior Junkanoo.
Already on board are the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Tourism with the proposed theme being “Keep on rushin/Children are the future”
“To achieve the ultimate goal, it is imperative that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Education foster a greater relationship and become partners in the on-going development of Junior Junkanoo and the implementation of Junkanoo arts and craft in the schools’ curricula, be it music, dance or craft,” said Minister Johnson.
Esso Bahamas Limited, platinum sponsors from the inception of Junior Junkanoo, has confirmed its “unwavering support” for this year’s milestone celebrations.
Participation is open to all public and private schools in the categories of pre-schools, primary schools, junior and senior high schools.
Some Family Islands schools will participate in the New Providence event. Others are invited to celebrate this special occasion on their respective islands.
A 25th anniversary Junior Junkanoo souvenir booklet steering committee is headed by Sonia Gibson, marketing specialist at Esso Bahamas, and Percy ‘Vola’ Francis, national coordinator for Junior Junkanoo.
“This is a national event,” said Minister Johnson. “A number of persons will be honoured on this special occasion.
“The Silver Jubilee jamboree of Junior Junkanoo will be an integral part of the 12 days of Christmas concept.
“It is anticipated that a record number of schools will be involved. As many as 45 schools are being targeted.
“All City Councils and Family Islands Administrators are requested to assist with Local Government involvement in this event as it relates to their Districts.”
Reigning Junior Junkanoo champions are One–On-One Preschool, Woodcock Primary School, and Government High School.
Junior Junkanoo national coordinator, Mr. Francis, reached out to parents, Junkanoo leaders, coordinators, groups and the corporate community to be a part of this historic event.
“To realise our aspirations for the Junior Junkanoo 25th Anniversary/Silver Jubilee jamboree festival,” he said, “we need as many schools on board as possible, especially those schools which have participated before.
“All schools participating in the Junior Junkanoo parades are asked to celebrate this 25th anniversary on their respective islands.
“In order for Junkanoo to survive for further generations we must ensure that our children are exposed to this aspect of our culture,” said Mr. Francis, leader of perennial senior champions the Saxons Superstars.
“The majority of participants in the senior parades are made up of graduates of the junior programme.
“Our objective is to eventually see that Junkanoo art form become a part of the schools’ curricula.”
By Gladstone Thurston
Bahamas Information Services
