House of Culture reopens

The big white building on the foreshore is once again open to the public following ceremonies on Saturday afternoon. The completely refurbished House of Culture, traditionally known as Government House was built in 1814 and until 1981 was the home of Belize’s colonial governors. The building now houses various historical exhibitions, art gallery, meeting rooms, resource centre, and offices for the Institute of Social and Cultural Research. In his address at the opening, Minister of Culture Mark Espat encouraged Belize’s artists to make use of the impressively refurbished facility.

Mark Espat, Minister of Culture

“This house, these grounds are an open invitation to be yourself, to be Belizean without apology or doubt, to experience diversity, to appreciate the indivisibility of culture and development. Make your statement here Belizean artists, paint your scene, sing your song, narrate your story, carve your image, display your photograph, play your instrument, document your past, or just applaud those who do any and all of these things. Just broaden you’re your humanity. Let us, NICH, and the growing community of Belizean artists together make this truly the people’s house where individuality can triumph and where creativity is champion.”

Admission to the house costs five dollars, but students with I.D. enter for two. Prearranged bookings for school tours are free.