Emperor Haile Selassie's grandson, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, arrives in Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday, April 21st, 2016 for 50th anniversary of Haile Selassie's historic visit to the country. (Photo: Mel Tewahade)
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Updated: Monday, April 25th, 2016
New York (TADIAS) — This past weekend marked the 50th anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie’s historic visit to Jamaica in 1966. According to the Jamaica Observer, “Haile Selassie arrived in Kingston on April 21, 1966 for a three-day State visit. It remains, arguably, the most momentous of its kind in Jamaica.”
Commemorative events and activities that took place in the island nation included an essay competition about Haile Selassie’s landmark visit to the Caribbean, a photographic exhibition, and a special service at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Kingston on Sunday, April 24th.
In addition, an Ethiopian delegation from the U.S. led by the Emperor’s grandson, Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, arrived in Kingston on Thursday, April 21st to take part in the festivities. The official schedule for Prince Ermias, shared with Tadias Magazine, included a motorcade from Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) to University of the West Indies (UWI) and a stop at Heroes Park, Mico College, JC, and UTech. Prince Ermias also delivered a speech on education Friday at a high school in the Jamaican capital named for his grandfather as well as an evening lecture at UWI Mona Campus.
Below are a few photos from the celebrations in Jamaica:
At 50th anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie’s historic visit to Jamaica. (Photo by Mel Tewahade)
Ermias Sahle Selassie, Emperor Haile Selassie’s grandson, with his wife Saba Kebede, at the 50th anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie’s historic visit to Jamaica, Thursday, April 21st, 2016. (Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
(Photo by Mel Tewahade)
The Jamaica Observer adds: “Selassie’s visit to Jamaica was the second stop in a four-country Caribbean trip that also included stops in Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, and Barbados. During his stay he met acting Prime Minister Sir Donald Sangster and Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante, was awarded an honorary degree from the University of the West Indies (UWI), and addressed Parliament. He also visited Payne Lands in Kingston and made stops in rural areas like Magotty, St Elizabeth and Montego Bay, St James.”
Additional celebrations are planned in Trinidad and Tobago.
Below is a video of Haile Selassie’s visit to Jamaica on April 21, 1966:
Video: Emperor haile Selassie of Ethiopia visits Jamaica part 1
Video: Emperor haile Selassie of Ethiopia visits Jamaica part 2
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Related:
Interview With Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie (TADIAS)
Haile Selassie’s visit was a momentous occasion (Jamaica Observer)
Under Pressure from Family Christie’s Skips Auction of Haile Selassie’s Watch
New Book on Triumph & Tragedy of Ethiopia’s Last Emperor Haile Selassie (TADIAS)
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