Palacio and Duran win coveted music award

Two Belizean artists have been selected to receive prestigious awards by the World Music Expo, WOMEX. Andy Palacio and Ivan Duran will be officially honoured during a ceremony scheduled to be held in Sevilla, Spain in October. The international organisation credits Palacio with putting Garifuna music and culture on the world map. Since 1995, the singer has collaborated with Duran’s Stonetree Records to produce several albums, the latest being the acclaimed “Watina.” At its launch in March, Palacio discussed his determination to preserve his cultural heritage through music.

Andy Palacio [March 14, 2007]
“One of my favourites is Amunegu, which is a serious song of reflection on the future survival of Garifuna culture. I am asking a number of questions and making the point that we cannot just leave these things to chance, that elements of the culture need to be taught in order for them to continue, lest we lose them altogether in times to come.”

Palacio is out of the country this week but in international media reports he referred to the award as an extraordinary endorsement of his work. Duran says he shares the recognition with the many small producers who take risks on new music and artists. The annual WOMEX awardees are selected based on World Music Chart success as well as musical excellence, social effectiveness, political impact, and lifetime achievement. The actual award replicates an ancient mother goddess symbolising fertility and life.