The holiday was observed on Monday, but today is the ninth of March
– what most of us know as Baron Bliss Day. But, the day no longer bears
the name of that benefactor, it is now officially National Heroes and Benefactors
Day a day set aside to honor all those men who have contributed to the building
Belize. In conjunction with this, NICH has mounted an exhibition at the House
of Culture. Jim McFadzean visited today.
Jim McFadzean Reporting,
It’s a small but very important step towards recognizing our own home
grown heroes and benefactors, that’s why, the Belize National Institute
of Culture launched today’s exhibit with some very key people in mind.
The attendance of Standard Six students from Holy Redeemer Primary, and 2nd
Form students from the Anglican Cathedral College was no coincidence, says Nigel
Encalada, the Director of the Institute of Social and Cultural Research.
Nigel Encalada, Director - Institute of Social & Cultural Research
“For a country to develop, a country needs to first recognize its
history and it goes without saying. It is a cliché but its absolutely 
important – you have to know who the people were that made contributions
to your country, what they did, and what you can do, based on that what we can
do as individuals to move our country ahead. And why we target young people
is because they are the ones whose minds are ripe for opportunities, for ideas,
they want change and most of us can’t define what that is yet but every
generation somehow among the generations emerge these leaders and if we do play
our small part in educating our young people in this way then I feel that our
country can move forward in the comfort that we will have people to serve who
will make sacrifice.”
As a young nation Belize has only named two of its citizens as heroes so far:
The Rt. Honourable George Cadle Price and Honourable Phillip Wilberforce Goldson.
Cleopatra White and Samuel Haynes are recognized as unsung heroes.
Nigel Encalada,
“They are recognized to have made significant contributions to Belize. 
There are many books and articles that have been written. So we scan them and
we chose these individuals to be represented in the exhibit for the fact that
they represent different periods in history.”
Today’s exhibit unlike most took on an interesting style of presentation
with the use of stage props and young actors and was the work of Choreographer
Joseph Stamp Romero.
Joseph Stamp Romero, Choreographer - NICH
“It brings to life these very important people. It uses a medium that
is very impressive to young people, a medium that gets to them every time, you
can’t lose when you go to the arts, especially when it comes to young
people, so it says a lot for who they are, it jumps out at you rather than just
reading in a book so when kids come and they experience these people in real
life and they could experience their words in real life it does a lot for young
people of today.”
It’s expected that Belize’s only recognized benefactor, Lord Baron
Bliss will have company real soon as The National Institute of Culture is expected
to recommend that the late Barry Bowen be named one. Reporting for Seven News,
I’m Jim McFadzean.
The exhibit will run throughout the month of March.
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