The Ministry of Youth, Sports & Heritage (MYSH) is excited to announce the theme for Emancipation Day 2025, ‘Unity: Strengthening Our Legacy.’ The theme highlights the unique journey of our foreparents who overcame adversity paving the way for an inclusive, diverse, unified community. To bring this year’s theme to life the Ministry is launching four creative competitions, inviting the public to interpret the theme through artistic expression. 

Winners of the Poetry and Poster design competitions will receive:

• First Place: CI$800
• Second Place: CI$500
• Third Place: CI$300

Winners of the Jingle and Art competitions will receive:

• First Place: CI$3500
• Second Place: CI$2500
• Third Place: CI$1500

t    The competitions includes the following categories:

Poetry (17 and under)

• Must capture the spirit of 2025 Emancipation Day theme, ‘Strengthening Our Legacy’ and can be written in any poetic form (e.g., free verse, sonnet, spoken word, etc.).
• Poem must be a minimum of 12 lines and a maximum of 40 lines.
• Entries must be original, unpublished, and created specifically for this competition.
• The poem should be submitted in a PDF.

 Poster Design (17 and under)

• Must visually capture the spirit of the 2025 Emancipation Day theme ‘Strengthening Our Legacy’ and must include the text ‘Emancipation Day 2025’ along with the theme.
• Designs may be Tabloid sized (11” x 17”) or bigger in portrait or landscape format.
• Can be created using digital tools (Photoshop, Canva etc.) or traditional methods (hand-drawn, painted, etc.).
• Submit a high-resolution digital file (JPG, PNG, or PDF).

 Jingle (Adults 18+)

• Must include lyrics and melody that reflect the theme ‘Unity: Strengthening Our Legacy.’
• No explicit language or inappropriate content.
• The jingle should be catchy, positive, and easy to remember.
• Entries must be original, unpublished, and created specifically for this competition.
• Songs may be performed a cappella or with instrumental backing.
• Submit as a high-quality recording with a private YouTube or Vimeo link.
• Include a written copy of the lyrics in a PDF.

 Art (Adults 18+)

• Accepted mediums: painting, drawing, mixed media, digital art, sculpture.
•  Artwork should be no smaller than 2ft x 3ft and no larger than 6ft x 4ft.
• Sculptures or 3D work must be a minimum of 3ft and must be freestanding.
• An image of the artwork should be submitted via email.

 Submit entries to YSHNationalEvents@gov.ky by Wednesday, 29 April 2025. Winners will be announced at the Emancipation Day Commemoration on Monday, 5 May 2025.

 The Ministry is looking forward to sharing more information on events taking place during the week of Emancipation Day. The public is encouraged to follow @mysch_cayman on Instagram and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Heritage on Facebook or visit www.gov.ky/ysch for the latest updates.