International holidays - International Reggae Day

Jamaica is famous not only for its coral beaches and rum This island nation located in the Caribbean is the birthplace of reggae The direction of modern music became popular in the early 70s of the last century Guitarist, composer and singer Bob Marley is considered the brightest representative of reggae The genre, which is a synthesis of the music of Latin America, Jamaica and rhythm and blues, has millions of fans around the world International Reggae Day is celebrated on July 1st every year In honor of International Reggae Day in the country's capital, Kingston, music sounds from everywhere: from the open windows of houses, cars, pubs and cafes The festival lasts 24 hours, during which popular ensembles give concerts and performers playing reggae music Fans of the style have been coming to Kingston from all over the world on July 1 since 1994 It was this year that the International Reggae Day was held for the first time on the initiative of the Jamaica Arts Holdings association Reggae as a term translated from Spanish means "royal music" Not only Bob Marley, but also Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Winston Rodney, Damian Marley, Lee Perry and other Jamaican performers reached the heights of excellence in it Reggae is not only music, but also an entire culture associated with Rastafarianism It is based on the ideas of equality and brotherhood of people The religious movement, a mixture of Christianity and Judaism, formed the basis of one of the varieties of the genre - the Rocksteady style This slow music is somewhat similar to meditation melodies and religious texts that resemble church singing According to authors and performers, the essence of reggae lies in the positive vibrations it transmits to the public The melody, which can be heard in a pub in Berlin and a nightclub in Thailand, brings people together with its measured rhythm and smooth sound Reggae calms, uplifts and heals the soul This music can be danceable, pacifying, and protest at the same time, following the traditions of African culture, in which melody, rhythm and dance exist along with other phenomena and events of life Bob Marley's reggae carried a powerful social charge, urging listeners not to forget their roots and past Tunes in this genre are often perceived as the voice of an oppressed people who are being indoctrinated into white man culture Bob Marley said: “I believe that racism, evil and hatred can be cured with music” Reggae compositions feature electric and bass guitars, drums, electric organ, and rarely a group of wind instruments It's no secret that in the ghetto of Kingston, a hotbed of drug addiction, gangsterism and prostitution, gun shots are often heard To convey them in reggae, a specific guitar technique is used - skengay (skeng translates as “pistol” or “knife with rattle”) Thus, the music reflects the realities of life in the slums of the capital of Jamaica During the celebration of International Reggae Day, fans not only enjoy the performance of famous musical groups Tourists visit the Bob Marley Museum and take lessons from masters in classic Jamaican dance halls Anyone who didn't have time to come to Kingston on July 1st shouldn't be upset They have the chance to attend the famous reggae festival Sumfest, which lasts a week and takes place in mid-July in the tourist capital of the island, Montego Bay Celebrating International Reggae Day is an opportunity to enjoy listening to positive and soothing dance music, learn about the views and lifestyle of Rastafarians, followers of Rastafarianism In 2018, reggae was inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage This speaks to the recognition of the style, born under the scorching sun of Jamaica, as a unique phenomenon that has had a great influence on musical trends around the world