The Jamaican Embassy in Berlin celebrated an early National Heroes Day on the
8th October 2015, capitalising on the presence in Germany of tenor soloist, Steve Higgins, the main performer at
a reception/concert to commemorate the Day.
H.E. Mrs. Margaret Jobson gave brief remarks to an audience of approximately 150, comprising members of the
Diplomatic Corps, Jamaica’s Honorary Consuls in Munich, Serbia and the Slovak Republic, the public and
private sectors and the Jamaican community. In her address, she pointed to the significance of National Heroes
Day and the contribution of the seven (7) heroes in changing the course of Jamaica’s history.
On exhibition, were mounted photographs of the heroes with brief biographical data on each. Two short videos,
From Tainos to Morant and Discovery and National Heroes were shown during the cocktail hour before the
concert. As the Jamaica Tourist Board co-sponsored the event, a short tourism promotional video showcasing
the varied tourism product that Jamaica has to offer was also presented along with a display of collateral
material.
The concert opened with drumming by Joseph ‘Blue’ Grant, a Jamaican singer, Songwriter and Producer who
resides in Berlin. Mr. Steve Higgins gave a masterful performance, entertaining the gathering with songs of a
wide variety of musical genres from traditional folk to classical. Also presenting some traditional dance moves
were the Prime Time Dancers, a German dance group which specializes in Jamaican dance forms.
The Western Regional Foundation for Disabled Children/Westhaven Children’s Home was the beneficiary of
donations from those attending the event. This charity will also receive the offering collected at the Embassy’s
Independence Church service in August.
