Thousands of children from across Belize City today gathered at the Belize city center to join the nation's celebration of it's 23rd. Independence. They were treated to a full schedule of performances from various schools. Minister of education Francis Fonseca told us that the event is held to encourage young Belizeans to be a part of the national Independence Day celebration:
Hon. Francis Fonseca - Minister of Education
"I think it's very important for us to remind our children, our primary school children, of the struggles that we went through as a nation to achieve independence. And to share with them some of the hope and vision we have for the country and to say to that they are very important to Belize, that we love them, that their education is vital. What you see here is the children who have come to the City Center this morning. All over the country they are having similar rallies in every district and also at their schools when the get back to their schools now they will have their own celebration at school. Where they will have their own ceremonies and performances. But it's really a great opportunity for all of them to come together from different parts of the city and the Belize district, to get to know each other, to see each other performing. You know and really to celebrate as young Belizeans."
Over three thousand children from 27 schools attended.