All museums, including the one in Fort Charles, Port Royal, will be opened to the public, free of cost, during the Heroes weekend, starting tomorrow, to National Heroes Day, Monday.

Portfolio minister, Lisa Hanna, made the announcement on Sunday at the National Heritage Week Thanksgiving Service, held at the Power of Faith Deliverance Ministries, Clarendon.

better understanding

The initiative is part of a cultural-transformation programme, being undertaken by the ministry, aimed at helping young people to get a better understanding of Jamaica's heritage.

Minister Hanna said the cultural programme, which includes the promotion of Jamaica's museums and historical sites, was launched, "So that young people can have the knowledge they need to become better citizens of our country."

She told the congregation that three museums were opened this year, the Norman Manley museum in Roxborough, Manchester, another at the Seville Great House in St Ann, and the National Museum at the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston.

She said an exhibition on Rastafari, one of Jamaica's dynamic cultures, is ongoing at the National Museum.

Minister Hanna told the gathering that there are plans to restore the birthplaces of the country's National Heroes, through funds from the Tourism Enhancement Fund.