The run-up to the celebration of Belize's 25th year of independence has officially commenced with the opening of an exhibit at the Museum of Belize. It's the official version, so don't expect to see any hint of the unrest that preceded independence. But while it twos the offi9cial line, the exhibit does depart from the official script in a few small but intriguing ways. Alfonso Noble visited the opening.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
Minister of Culture Mark Espat, along with the Bishop of the Anglican Church Phillip Wright and President of NICH Yasser Musa formally cut the ribbon declaring open the exhibit marking the 25th anniversary of independence.
Hon. Mark Espat, Minister of Culture
"I was ten years old at the time Alfonso and I do recall very well the public meetings at Court House Plaza in favor of independence. I recall the famous Heads of Agreement riot on Albert Street and the police and the army being involved in trying to maintain law and order and of course I also remember September 20th, the famous evening. There was some rain, as I remember, that evening at the now House of Culture, the Old Government House, when our flag was unfolded for the world and there are great memories and much credit due to those individuals on all sides of Belize's various sectors that were involved in that process."
And indeed the process did have many players and while George Price is always front and center, there were those who were not as visible but always relevant and they are noted here. They include Charles Chavannes and his cartoon commentary on independence and the times, or the figureheads of the Belize Action Movement.
Then there is this, the Belizean flag that was first flown at the Government House 25 years ago. There is also this, an original copy of the Belize constitution. Espat says that displays like these are increase awareness of our young nation's struggles.
Hon. Mark Espat,
"In culture it is really the supply that determines the outcome, not as in economics where it is demand that determines the outcome. And so we have to at every juncture try to supply reasons to our young Belizeans and even to those of us who recall independence for them to be proud, for them to understand the level of achievement and for them to know that we must all be ready to defend our political sovereignty and that we must now continue to struggle for economic sovereignty. That is our challenge and so I think its important for us to look at the last 25 years, to see those areas where we've made great progress, but also, like I said recently to the BTIA, to challenge ourselves to make sure that we can do as good or even better in the next 25 years."
The exhibit is curated by museum director Lita Krohn. It is the 7th one to be mounted at the museum.
