“Visible Hand” greets motorists at roundabout

Don’t be shocked the next time you reach the intersection of Cemetery Road and Central American Boulevard…the hand you’ll encounter is one of friendship. Ann-Marie Williams reports.

Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting

Belize celebrates its twentieth birthday tomorrow, but our present arrived a day early. This “Visible Hand” is a gift from the people of Taiwan to the people of Belize.

Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Charles Tsai, likened the hand to a successful collaboration between the two countries.

Charles Tsai, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize

“The Visible Hand” symbolises the sustained growth of Belize. It also symbolises the very amicable and cordial relationship between Belize and Taiwan, which will be further strengthened through the joint efforts of our two countries. I also would like to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude and appreciation to the government and people of Belize for your true friendship.”

The hand, which not only symbolises friendship, but the connection between people and nature, was designed by Joseph Chiang, a first year sixth form student of St. John’s College.

Joseph Chiang

“I was quite excited.”

Ann-Marie Williams

“Did you know that it would have been used at the roundabout?”

Joseph Chiang

“No. My teacher, Yasser Musa said it was going to be put at the new roundabout right here and I was happy about it, and it’s also going to be seen by the public.”

The public will also see the handiwork of Shareef Bilal, the eighteen-year-old welder who fabricated the piece.

Belize City Mayor, David Fonseca thanked Prime Minister Said Musa for encouraging the artist to express his creativity.

David Fonseca, Belize City Mayor

“It is through these avenues that we can become a better nation, a stronger nation, a united nation.”

Prime Minister Said Musa

“The hand of course is also that instrument of work. And so this daily reminder of the need for us all to work hard in Belize, will be here on Central American Boulevard and Cemetery Road. “The Visible Hand” of course can also be compared to the other hand, the invisible hand. And it reminds us too that whilst we are driven in our economies today by the invisible hand of market forces, we cannot forget that it is the human work of nature, the human hand that really brings about real development.”

Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.

“The Visible Hand” is another project from the energetic minds of the Image Factory’s Yasser Musa and Gilvano Swasey.