Third Annual Maya Heroes Day to be Celebrated in Sugar City
This Saturday in Orange Walk Town, the Northern Maya Association will be hosting Maya Heroes Day, a cultural event to honor outstanding promoters of the Mayan heritage. The activity which is endorsed by the National Institute of Culture and History, NICH, coincides with other events to kick off the September Celebrations. According to organizer Arturo Cantun, Maya Heroes Day is important in highlighting the many contributions of the men and women of Maya ancestry.
Arturo Cantun, Organizer, Maya Heroes Day
Arturo Cantun
“So this Saturday, the Northern Maya Association of Belize is holding the third annual Maya Heroes Day. It takes place in Orange Walk at the Battle of Orange Walk Monument, that’s on Queen Victoria Avenue in downtown Orange Walk and it’s going to be a short ceremony, followed after that at the Central Park by dance presentations. We’re going to be having food exhibits on sale, and likewise we’re going to have Maya games and exhibits of historical aspects of the Maya culture and I think the highlight of the day will be a competition between two female pok-ta-pok teams. So the invitation is open for all Belizeans to come, it’s free of cost. It’s an opportunity for you to start the September Celebrations in Orange Walk.”
Reporter
“Why is this celebration of importance?”
Arturo Cantun
“Well it is important, we are trying to achieve three main objectives through this event. One of it is to highlight the work of cultural promoters in safeguarding the Mayan heritage, also we’d like to educate and inform all Belizeans on the Maya heritage and culture, and the history as well. As well we also want to honor and celebrate the struggles of past Maya warriors such as Marcus Canul, Maximo Perez, Jesus Ken, Mateo Ayuso, Jacinto Patt, among others. As a matter of fact, during the ceremony we’re going to be honoring two local cultural promoters who have done exemplary work in the safeguarding of the Maya culture. So they’re going to be honored, they’re going to be getting plaques during the ceremony and after that we’re going to be celebrating their work.”
