Greetings Across The World turns 25
Published: Sunday | September 11, 2011
Clarence Royes
Creator & Executive Producer
Greetings Across The World.
When Greetings Across The World (GATW) starts airing on December 11, 2011, it will mark the 25th anniversary of the annual television programme.
Sponsored by the Jamaica National Building Society and aired on TVJ during the Christmas season, the hugely popular programme is a staple of Jamaicans living in the United States, United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and recent addition, Grand Cayman. For Jamaicans abroad, most notably in the UK, which boasts a substantial Jamaican population, "sending their greetings" every year has become a tradition. In Jamaica, the start of GATW heralds the Christmas season, and relatives and friends of Jamaicans living abroad tune in to TVJ in anticipation.
An inspiration
GATW creator Clarence Royes of Audio Visual Productions has produced the annual programme since its inception in 1987.
"GATW has truly been an inspiration for me. It has helped me to appreciate the real scope of 'our little island'. When I meet people across the world, including Jamaica, who talk about the joy of seeing a lost relative on the programme, it makes the past 25 years really rewarding. I think fondly of the ones I have watched make it from rags to riches, the ones that have literally grown up in front of my camera and are now introducing the next generation to their friends and relatives in Jamaica. I have had the opportunity to share in the lives of families in times of grief, celebrations, and triumph. This has cemented (for me) that a Jamaican is more than a person born in Jamaica. We are positive spirits regardless of where we are born, and as Miss Lou would say, WI LIKKLE BUT WI TALLAWAH! ".
With the impending start of the 2011 season, the 25-year-old programme promises enticing additions to the familiar GATW format.
An inspiration
GATW creator Clarence Royes of Audio Visual Productions has produced the annual programme since its inception in 1987.
"GATW has truly been an inspiration for me. It has helped me to appreciate the real scope of 'our little island'. When I meet people across the world, including Jamaica, who talk about the joy of seeing a lost relative on the programme, it makes the past 25 years really rewarding. I think fondly of the ones I have watched make it from rags to riches, the ones that have literally grown up in front of my camera and are now introducing the next generation to their friends and relatives in Jamaica. I have had the opportunity to share in the lives of families in times of grief, celebrations, and triumph. This has cemented (for me) that a Jamaican is more than a person born in Jamaica. We are positive spirits regardless of where we are born, and as Miss Lou would say, WI LIKKLE BUT WI TALLAWAH! ".
With the impending start of the 2011 season, the 25-year-old programme promises enticing additions to the familiar GATW format.
Filming begins in South Florida on October 3; moves on to Toronto on October 13; New York, October 19; UK, November 10; and ends in Grand Cayman on December 3.
(click here to view original article) GATW turns 25
