Grounation 2023 To Examine ‘Jamaica 60’ Through Musical Lens

Grounation, a staple of the reggae and black history month celebrations, returns face-to-face for its 11th staging in February under the theme Sounds and Society: 60 Years of Music, Political Activism and Social Change.

Presented by the Jamaica Music Museum (JaMM), the free symposium is supported by the Institute of Jamaica, which will host the event at its lecture theatre on 10-16 East Street, Kingston, each Sunday at 2:00p.m.

“Cultural activities motivate individuals and communities to come together and improve the circumstances that affect human relationships,” JaMM director/curator Herbie Miller said. “Grounation aims to continue the tradition of community outreach, utilising culture and reasoning to play our part in transforming Jamaican society from the dismal conditions too many of its people bear, to a society more caring and compassionate.”

Grounation 2023 will examine the sociopolitical, creative, and artistic response to developments and their consequences since Jamaica gained independence in 1962. This approach, Miller explained, will help to foster understanding about the public dimensions and political function of music.

Also to be examined through reasoning punctuated by musical references are the country’s successes and unachieved goals, the underutilisation of its national potential, and the daunting crime culture.

“The methodology, it is hoped, will stimulate further thoughts, facilitate research, encourage action on achieving complete political independence, and improve the current horrendous conditions in Jamaica,” he said.

In addition to Miller, this year’s speakers include Professor Donna Hope, Dr. Clinton Hutton, Elombe Mottley, Ibo Cooper, and Kevin O’Brien Chang.

Grounation 2023 will also be accompanied by the exhibition Auditory and Optic Themes in the Shaping of a Nation, to include various artefacts, photos, storyboards, and album covers to delineate the nation’s evolution over the last 60 years.

Both events continue the JaMM’s contribution to the celebration of Jamaica 60 activities.

Grounation made its debut in 2012 and now serves as the JaMM’s flagship educational outreach programme and a mainstay on Jamaica’s cultural calendar.