By Daviot Kelly and Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Reporters
Dr. Raymoth Notice (left), Mayor of Spanish Town presents the Key to the Old Capital to Cristobal Colon de Carvajal, Duke of Veragua, Marquis of Jamaica the 20th direct descendant of Christopher Columbus, the Spanish explorer who arrived in Jamaica in 1492. The Key was presented at a special civic ceremony held at Emancipation Square, Spanish Town yesterday. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
CRISTOBAL COLON de Carvajal, Duke of Veragua, who is the 20th direct descendant of Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, was honoured yesterday by the St. Catherine Parish Council.
The occasion was a civic ceremony held at Emancipation Square, Spanish Town, where the duke was given the Key to the Old Capital by Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr. Raymoth Notice.
Several civic-minded persons flocked the tent on the lawn of the square amid the light shower, including Members of Parliament Olivia 'Babsy' Grange and Sharon Hay-Webster. A citation was read by Councillor Camille Buchanan, and the proclamation read by Councillor Denise Daley.
In his remarks, Spanish Ambassador Rafael Rover said that it was a very proud moment for him, being the Spanish representative in Jamaica. "I am proud of the moment. I will be working to get heritage tourism on board," he said. In this regard, his focus will be on the Hellshire area of St. Catherine.
NO TOURIST STOPOVER
The duke, until his departure on Monday, will be touring the land his ancestor trudged centuries before. But this is no tourist stopover for him; his trip is in recognition of history.
"This is an official visit. We are now celebrating the 500th anniversary of the fourth trip of Christopher Columbus as he was here in St. Ann's Bay at that time. So this is a special moment in the relationship between Jamaica and Spain and that is what we are trying to present; that the history we have is very similar," he told The Gleaner.
In 2002, he was named Ambassador on Special Mission for the Commemorative Acts of his ancestor's fourth voyage. He has been to countries such as Costa Rica and Panama before his trip to Jamaica.
Like his ancestor, the duke is also a seaman now serving as a navy reserve. The boats have clearly changed from sails and masts to more mechanical technology but the love of the open sea is the same as the one that gripped Columbus centuries before.
