Milan dances, gives and embraces the Caribbean at Italy Meets Jamaica 2026 An evening of culture and solidarity that brings two worlds together through music, flavors and a shared commitment to Jamaica
«Bringing Jamaican colors and sounds to our second home is a dream come true.» With these emotional words, Caterina Monda opened the second edition of Italy Meets Jamaica, the charity event produced by PR Metis that transformed DOTS, on Via Andrea Salaino, into a vibrant Caribbean microcosm in the heart of Milan. For one night, the city set aside its winter grey to welcome bold colors, radiant outfits and a collective energy that felt almost contagious.
From the welcome cocktails at 6:30 pm, accompanied by the musical selection of Freschezza, guests were immersed in a joyful atmosphere that set the tone for a special dinner crafted by Stush in the Bush, flown in from Jamaica. Their presence moved everyone, especially knowing that their farm had suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Melissa, one of the most devastating natural disasters to hit the island in recent years. Yet, despite everything, they brought with them the last of their harvest, including the precious ackee, as a symbol of resilience and shared care.
The heart of the evening beat strongly around solidarity. «Jamaica has given so much to the world: now it’s time to give back,» said Jordan Anderson, co-host of the evening alongside Caterina Monda and Jacqueline Greaves. Through his story – from nearly nine years living in Milan to discovering that Bob Marley’s biggest concert in the world took place right here – he highlighted how Jamaican identity can travel, take root and inspire. With humor, he reminded the audience of a defining trait of his culture: «If you know a Jamaican, you know two things: we want to be the best at everything, and we take nothing too seriously. Even in tragedy, we always find a way to laugh.» But he then urged everyone to take action: join the raffle, participate in the silent auction, offer whatever support possible, because Jamaica urgently needs help.
Funds raised during the evening will support two primary schools – Free Primary and Infant School and Sandy Bank Primary School – as well as medical aid through TransWave. The initiative is part of the broader mission of Cross Culture Collective ETS, an organization committed to building cultural and humanitarian bridges between Italy and Jamaica. The success of the evening was also made possible thanks to generous partners and donors: from Uniqlo’s goodie bags to the fragrances created by Haitian artist Manuel Mathieu, from Garibaldi’s fresh flowers to Nemo Lighting’s technical support. A special contribution came from Imperfettolab, which handcrafted the tables, furniture and even the DJ booth, turning the venue into a warm, meticulously curated space.
Dinner, rich with spices and tradition, was served by a team that had traveled all the way from Jamaica, leading into a final burst of energy with CKTRL’s dancehall performance, which kept the room moving until midnight. Because Italy Meets Jamaica is also this: a reminder, through music and movement, that Jamaican culture is not just beaches and postcards, but a vibrant force made of community, creativity and shared joy.
«Every small donation can change a child’s life. Every gesture matters.» This, above all, was the message guests carried home. And in a Milan that often moves too fast, such a sincere, lively and necessary evening managed to pause time just long enough to look far ahead, toward an island wounded yet full of life.
