Hugh Nash, Cultural Icon Dies

Hugh Nash CD, JP

Mr. Festival, Mr. JCDC (Jamaica Cultural Development Commission), the affable, charming and humble Hugh Nash CD, JP passed on this morning. Mr. Nash last served as the Chairman of the JCDC Board and he was involved in a number of other boards and projects on behalf of the government over the years.

Hugh Nash has been an outstanding persons in leading the development of culture in Jamaica and his  knowledge about the history and culture of Jamaica is just amazing. He was responsible for the development of the JCDC under the leadership of former Prime Minister of Jamaica, The Most Hon. Edward Seaga and he also served as head of the organization. The Jamaica Festival and annual Independence celebrations, the Heritage Week Festivals, Mello-Go-Roun, the Festival Queen Competition, all came from the creativity of the man. 

Mr. Nash's dream was to get the parish cultural committees working and he wanted to see the development of cultural non-governmental organizations responsible for cultural matters in each parish. He was pushing to have a places in each parish to host cultural events. As far as I know the parish cultural committees are not functioning at this time.

Mr. Nash has been involved in various organizations over the years such as the National Heritage Trust, the Mile Gully Primary and High Schools where he was the chairman for approximately 30 years. He was also Chairman of Harry Watch Primary School and also a member of the CHASE board. 

Mr. George Watson, former senior manager and commissioner at the JCDC and one who has worked with Mr. Nash, said that Mr. Nash is among the four greatest Jamaican cultural icons - Edward Seaga, Michael Manley, Professor Nettleford and Hugh Nash. Mr. Watson has been recommending that Mr. Nash be awarded the Order Of Jamaica.

I am proud to have worked with Mr. Hugh Nash while he was Chairman of the JCDC Board. When I was given the task to revitalize the Festival Song Competition after there was none in 2018, I must admit that he was a tower of strength to me. The competition made a number of firsts in 2018. Hugh had a passion for the Festival Song Competition because he wanted it to regain its position as the premier event, for the celebration of our National Independence.

He also advocated that our Independence Celebrations should be separated from our Emancipation Celebrations and therefore we should not refer to the period as Emancipendence. However, some persons still refer to the period as Emancipendence.

One thing I will always remember is when both of us were entering the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre for the Festival Song Competition in 2018, and we did not have passes to enter. The security guard stopped us at the entrance and politely asked us for our passes. I believed that the guard was under severe pressure at the gate and therefore he did not  recognize us. Mr. Nash turn to me and said, leave him alone because he is doing his job. We just turned around and went through the back where staff members allowed us to enter. Hugh Nash, was never the man to be forcing himself to be in the limelight, never fighting for power, never fighting to be recognized because he was a humble man to the core. What a man! May his soul rest in peace.

Readings

Jamaica - Gleaner Dec. 22, 2012

JIS - May 30, 2011

Gleaner - Oct. 22, 2011