Japan-Jamaica One Love Festival set for this weekend
Published:Saturday | June 21, 2014 | 12:00 AM
Shereita Grizzle, Gleaner Writer
Japan and Jamaica have had a long-standing diplomatic relationship spanning five decades, and this weekend, both countries will celebrate the milestone at the 11th staging of the One Love Jamaica Festival in Japan.
Scheduled to take place in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, the event will boast performances from the L'Antoinette Stines-led L'Acadco, A Caribbean Dance Force, Kiddus I, Eric Donaldson, and Macka Ruffin.
Other forms of entertainment will include Japan's elimination show for the World Reggae Dance Championships.
On Sunday, the festival culminates with a Bob Marley Songs Day competition. The winner of the competition will receive a trip to Jamaica.
FREE CREOLE LESSONS
The Jamaican community living in Japan will act as volunteers during the festival and will be offering free Creole and dance lessons in the designated Jamaica Communication Space.
Art workshops, a gallery, and stalls offering Jamaican coffee, rum, beer, and food will also be areas of attraction over the weekend.
In the spirit of charity, volunteers at the event will be collecting various brass and woodwind instruments to be donated to the Alpha Boys' School.
According to the Japan Times, the instruments will be taken to Jamaica by the Japan-based NGO, Peace Boat.
The One Love Reggae Festival is Japan's largest reggae festival and is expected to attract more than 50,000 people this weekend.
The festival is free to the public and will move on to different locations throughout Japan in the coming months.
Some of the stops include Nagano in August, Nagoya in September, and Okinawa in November.