7 Belizeans Awarded for Creative and Cultural Excellence

September is a time of celebration. A time to celebrate Belize, its culture, and its people. Today, seven Belizean artists were honored by the National Celebrations Commission with Creative and Cultural Excellence awards for their contributions to Belize’s rich and diverse art sector. We attended the ceremony held at the House of Culture today to meet the awardees.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Do not be surprised when future history books mention the name Adela Peterson Vallejos. While you may not recognize the name now, she is well on her way to becoming someone you can’t forget. She is one of seven recipients of the National Celebrations Commission’s Creative and Cultural Excellence Awards. She received the Leela Vernon Prize for Creative Community Action and Safeguarding Cultural Heritage. It is said that culture is the spirit of a nation, and these winners are keeping the spirit alive.

 

Adela Peterson Vallejos, Winner, Leela Vernon Prize

“It’s a big step forward. I represent the Yucatec Maya culture,  and the Yucatec Maya culture has been marginalized. Their language is near extinction, so for everyone to recognize our efforts mean the world to us. Maybe now people will take attention and see that we need to do much more to preserve our ancestral language.”

 

Adela Peterson Vallejos was born and raised in Libertad Village in Corozal and has made her mark in the world by founding a chapter of the Consortium for Belizean Development. Wanting to connect with roots, she dedicated a portion of her life to learning her mother’s native tongue, Yucatec Maya, later establishing the To’one Masehualoone NPO.

 

Britney Gordon

“And I know that you decided to take the step to connect with that part of your heritage What does it mean for you to be an example that is never too late to take the step towards that.”

 

Adela Peterson Vallejos

“Yes, we can all make a difference. We just have to do something today.”

 

The winners hail from all over the country and vary in their areas of expertise. The other six winners are: Teresita Ulloa, recipient of the Beverly Smith Prize for Acting in Theatre and Film; Alfonzo Tzul, recipient of the Don Elijio Prize for the Protections and Development of Traditional Knowledge; Rowland Parks, recipient of the Zee Edgell Prize for Literary Arts; Mercy Sabal, recipient of the George Gabb Prize for Visual Arts; Mohobub Flores, recipient of the Andy Palacio Prize for Belizean Music; and husband and wife duo, Matthew and Virgin Martinez, recipients of the Rosita Baltazar Prize for Dance. Minister of Culture, Francis Fonseca acknowledged the significance of celebrating the trailblazers of the past, while acknowledging those who continue their work and create a new era culture.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“Cultural and creative moment. excellence awards. It’s all about making sure that we are recognizing, acknowledging, paying respect to our artists, our artistic community, our creative community. We do so by honoring great icons, so the awards are named after seven great artists, great creative people.”

 

It is vital that recipients feel supported as they pave the way for new generations of activist and artist.

 

Francis Fonseca

“We have gone through a process of identifying individuals in our country who have continued that work. And who continue to contribute to believes this cultural development. So it’s absolutely important very important for any country to honor and recognize its creative community. Culture is really the lifeblood of any nation. We’re very happy that we’ve established this.  And that each year we’re able to identify and recognize and pay tribute to wonderful Belizeans who continue to contribute through culture to the national development of Belize.”

 

The pool of winners showcases Belize’s diverse population, not only in ethnicity but talents and abilities, such as Rowland Parks, the blind journalist leading the charge in literary excellence and Teresita Ulloa, who didn’t think she would be able to outdo her competition when she applied to be a librarian.  She has since transformed the library into a place that fosters a love for learning. Peterson Vallejos hopes that by leading through example, the heart of her culture will beat on for years to come.

 

Britney Gordon

“What is your hope for the future of other Belizeans  that might want to dip their toes into the work that you do?”

 

Adela Peterson Vallejos

“Well, everyone needs to do their part to preserve our ancestry, and to create a legacy for the next generation.”

 

Britney Gordon for News Five.