Jamaica bids farewell to EU head

European Union head Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni and wife Fiela, after being fêted for weeks on their impending departure, threw their own farewell shindig recently, at their residence in Norbrook. The number of guests was testament to the popularity of Ambassador Alemanni and the sterling work he has done in Jamaica. And his beloved wife Fiela was never to be left out of the praise, always serving in her own unassuming way.

The backyard lawns became an amphitheatre of sorts, perfect for the musical showpiece that was about to take place. The ambassador had promised a farewell of some panache and he delivered on his promise, as guests were thoroughly entertained. First, the Jolly Boys mento band, including their fabulous rendition of Amy Winehouse's Rehab mixed with mento classics.

But in between the music, there were some heartfelt words, first from the ambassador himself. He said the evening was in recognition of the "friends and colleagues we have worked with over the years". He said that Jamaica had started much-needed reforms in certain key areas, of course with the EU's help, and that Jamaicans should be proud of the resilience of their people and the free and democratic society we have that others are still trying to attain.

"Jamaica and Jamaicans will always be in our hearts," he said. Prime Minister Andrew Holness called Alemanni "a great friend to Jamaica" and said, "We consider you a Jamaican, with Italian swagger" before reaffirming the nation's admiration, respect and love for the charismatic diplomat. The ambassador was presented with a painting by Gerard Hanson and then it was over to Chalice, who gave the gathering 'real' reggae music.

Many dignitaries

Guests out included: Prime Minister Andrew Holness, his predecessor Bruce Golding and wife Lorna, Finance Minister Audley Shaw, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, Agriculture Minister Robert Montague, Industry Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and wife Naedene, Transport Minister Mike Henry and wife Dawn, minister responsible for public-sector efficiency Daryl Vaz, Dorothy Lightbourne, Chief Justice Zaila McCalla and husband William, Venezuelan Ambassador Noel Martinez, Russian Ambassador Victor Zotin and wife Olga, Cuban Ambassador Yuri Lopez and wife Yaima, South African High Commissioner Mathu Joyini, Belgian Ambassador Frederic Meurice, Spanish Ambassador Celsa Nuño, Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner Dr Iva Gloudon, French Ambassador Marc-Olivier Gendry, Canadian High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan and wife Cathy, Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover, British High Commissioner Howard Drake, German Ambassador Josef Beck and wife Gudrun, Clelia Barreto de Hunter, Max Alce, Custos of St Andrew Marigold Harding and Dr Oswald Harding, Senate president, Ambassador Madge Barrett and husband Arthur, Ambassador Maxine Roberts and sister Valerie, Maurice and Valerie Facey, Anthony Miller, Morin and Verla Seymour, Alex Dropinski and wife Saphire, Ambassador Elinor Sherlock, Ricardo and Suzanne Allicock and Susan Alexander.

Others out were EU staff including: Michele Gage, Jodi Brown-Lindo, Giovannie Swaby, Colleen Falconer, and Cesar Valor; social scene regulars Lois Sherwood, Dr Olivia McDonald, Dennis Lalor, Novlette Grant, Calvin and Sylvia Lyn, Dr Michael Banbury, Dr Laura Tanna, and Deiwght Peters, Diane and Ricky Corrie, Pierre and Karlene Lemaire, Andrew Issa, Chris Issa, Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin, Sharon Reynolds, Camille Bell-Hutchinson, Paulette Bellamy, Pauline Edie, Novlette Green, Charles Hanna, Deika Morrison, Robert MacMillan, Chris and Michelle Bovell, Nicole Hoo-Fatt, Sylvia Collister, Father Richard Albert, Major Richard Reece, Liz Levy, Allison Peart, Robert Scott, Patrick Wong, Jimmy Joseph, Everoy Chin, Sancia Bennett-Templer, Donna Parchment-Brown, Greg and Janice Christie, Dr Johnathan Greeenland and Dr Rebecca Tortella Greenland, Kingsley Cooper and Romae Gordon, and Yvonne Clarke.