The University of The West Indies' Institute of Caribbean Studies and the Reggae Studies Unit alongside the Office of the Principal will host the International Reggae Conference from February 17-20 on Mona campus.

The International Reggae Conference is being hosted under the theme 'Current and Future Trends in Popular Music'. The International Reggae Conference will provide an opportunity for artistes, musicians, scholars, cultural practitioners, entrepreneurs and music lovers from around the world to share their perspectives on the ways in which reggae and dancehall have been appropriated and adapted in a variety of cultural contexts. Over the three full days of the conference (February 18-20), there will be a variety of speakers from the music industry as well as from academia, locally and internationally.

The conference and associated events will consolidate and disseminate knowledge on the current and future trends of Jamaican music culture as it continues its international movement across different geographical and cultural sites. It will also celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Jamaica's premier cultural ambassador, the Hon Robert Nesta Marley, with the hosting of the Annual Bob Marley Lecture, in affiliation with the Bob Marley Foundation on Thursday, February 18, at 7 p.m. at the Undercroft at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

addresses

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange, will address the opening ceremony of the conference at the Ruins, Mona Visitors' Lodge, beginning at 6:30 p.m. on February 17. Professor Carolyn Cooper will deliver a special presentation on Thursday, February 18, from 3:10-4:30 p.m. in the Neville Hall Lecture Theatre.

The Annual Bob Marley Lecture will be hosted as a component of the conference on Thursday, February 18, at 7 p.m. at the Undercroft, UWI. Ras Tekla Mekfet will deliver the lecture. Edward Seaga will deliver a special presentation in the Multifunctional Room of the Main Library on Friday, February 19, from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

David Katz, author, researcher, journalist, DJ, whose work with Jamaican music spans over 25 years, will deliver the closing presentation in the Assembly Hall on Saturday, February 20, from 3:30-5 p.m.

Entertainment includes a fashion showcase and reggae concert on Friday, February 19, beginning at 8 p.m. on the Mona campus. Fashions by Biggy, renowned dancehall designer, will be on display at the fashion show. The reggae concert will feature a mix of local and international reggae artistes, including performers from Brazil andItaly.