Festival of Arts kicks off at Bliss

It’s the place where virtually every Belizean performer of note got his or her start. And for the next month, the latest crop of young artists will make their pilgrimage to the Bliss.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The bright eyes and wide smiles on these children?s faces tell you just how high expectations are for this year?s Festival of Arts. There will be a total of three hundred and sixty-five entries in the Performing Arts disciplines from forty-eight institutions in the Belize District. Institute of Creative Arts Programme Director, Leroy Green says they have yet to tally the number of entries in the Art and Craft Category, but that the level of participation has certainly grown.

Leroy Green, Programme Dir., I.C.A.
?We have seen more institutions participating and definitely the quality or the level of the performances in all aspects have increased over the years. And I think that is a large part due to the teachers attending workshops and the itinerant expressive arts teachers system that is in place.?

Teachers, such as Lavern Andrewin-Ferguson, considered to be the driving force behind the St. Luke Methodist Primary School Choir. Ferguson says, as the theme suggests, our youth are the seedlings of Belizean art, culture, and identity.

Lavern Andrewin-Ferguson, St. Luke Methodist
?Children involved in expressive arts are engaged in a multitude of experiences which foster the development of their ability to see things in a different light, reflect upon and appreciate culture, history and nature. And it also provides a means through which they can communicate their feelings in less destructive ways.?

This morning children of all ages attended the opening ceremony.

Aaron Arnold, 13 years old
?The opening was fantastic. I think we should keep on having it every year.?

Alexander Ellis, 10 years old
?I think children should attend the Festival of Arts because they should support the children and give them thanks and praise. So come out and support the children.?

Jacqueline Woods
?Will your school be taking part in this year?s Festival of Arts??

St. Ignatius Students
?Yes miss.?

Jacqueline Woods
?What will St. Ignatius be doing??

Kirima Lopez, 9 years old
We will be doing arts, drawing, drama, dancing, singing and poems.?

Geisy Molina, 14 years old
?I like the dance, the story that the girl said; I like everything about the festival.?

Leroy Green
?This is very important not only to ICA, but even more so to the children of Belize because it?s the major venue through which they can expose their artistic talents.?

This year, organisers hope to achieve maximum participation from the children as well as increased participation from the public. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.

Performances began tonight at six-thirty and will continue over the next month. Due to time restrictions there will be no golden nights, but instead a golden showcase featuring the best entries will be held on June fifth. Tickets can be purchased at five dollars for adults and three dollars for children at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. A Children’s Festival of Arts is held annually in all of the nation’s six districts.