International Reggae Day celebrates Jamaica’s iconic music by refocusing on activism and climate justice

July 1, 2025

International Reggae Day (IRD) celebrated its 31st year with the theme "One Love, One Voice, One Day," emphasizing reggae music's role in activism. The celebration featured the awarding of the second annual Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award to Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley for her climate justice advocacy. Events took place globally, from Las Vegas's new "Bob Marley Hope Road" attraction to celebrations in Kenya, Malaysia, and North Carolina.

Who is affected

Reggae music fans and cultural enthusiasts worldwide
Small Island Developing States represented through Mia Mottley's advocacy
Communities in countries celebrating IRD (Jamaica, USA, Kenya, Malaysia, Poland)
Environmental activists connected to the "plant a reggae tree" initiative
Musicians and radio stations, particularly Jamaica's Irie FM and its performers
Mutabaruka and other reggae veterans honored at Kingston events

What action is being taken

The IRD team is presenting the Winnie Mandela Humanitarian Award to Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados
Communities worldwide are hosting celebrations, including Las Vegas lighting its welcome sign in reggae colors
Radio stations like Jamaica's Irie FM are holding live events honoring reggae veterans
The University of the West Indies Press is promoting its reggae-related publications
IRD is encouraging followers to "plant a reggae tree" supporting the UN's Trillion Tree Challenge

Why it matters

Reggae music serves as a vehicle for activism around social and environmental issues
The celebrations highlight reggae's historical role in political movements, including anti-apartheid efforts
The recognition of Prime Minister Mottley connects reggae's messaging to contemporary climate justice advocacy
The global nature of celebrations demonstrates reggae's continued cultural influence across continents
The theme reinforces reggae's traditional messages of "love, unity, and peace" in a modern context
The environmental focus connects reggae culture to pressing global challenges

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices