Jamaican cultural icon, Hugh Nash, regarded as Mr Festival, is dead.

Nash, who served the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) with distinction, passed away this morning (July 24).

The affable, charming and humble Nash last served as chairman of the JCDC Board and was involved in a number of other boards and projects on behalf of the government over the years.

Hugh Nash has been an outstanding person in leading the development of culture in Jamaica and his  knowledge of the history and culture of Jamaica is considered amazing. He was responsible for the development of the JCDC under the leadership of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga and also served as head of the organisation.

The Jamaica Festival and annual Independence celebrations, the Heritage Week Festivals, Mello-Go-Roun, the Festival Queen Competition, all came from the creativity.

Nash’s dream was to get the parish cultural committees working and he wanted to see the development of cultural non-governmental organisations responsible for cultural matters in each parish. He was pushing to have a place in each parish to host cultural events.

Nash was involved with various organisations

Nash was involved in various organisations over the years such as the National Heritage Trust as well as 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 a member of the CHASE board.

George Watson, former senior manager and commissioner at the JCDC, who has worked with Nash, said he was among the four greatest Jamaican cultural icons including Edward Seaga, Michael Manley and Professor Rex Nettleford.

Watson has been recommending that Nash be awarded membership in the Order of Jamaica.

Nash had a passion for the Festival Song Competition because he wanted it to regain its position as the premier event for the celebration of the nation’s Independence.

He also advocated that Jamaica’s Independence celebrations should be separated from its Emancipation celebrations and therefore did not believe the period should be referred to as ‘Emancipendence’.

Due to his humble nature, Nash was never the man to forced himself into limelight, never fought for power and never fought to be recognised.