Secondary school Festival of Arts kicks off at Bliss
The long running Children’s Festival of Arts is chocked full of cute kids whose performances cannot help but bring a smile to even the hardest audience member. But what about the secondary school version? This morning I checked it out.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This morning the second annual National Secondary Schools’ Festival of Arts officially opened under the theme, ‘Youth Making a Difference, Adding to Belize’s Cultural Experience’. The event will include the participation of seventeen educational institutions from the Belize District. According to Leroy Green, programme Director of the Institute of Creative Arts, this year the number of performances in the festivals has decreased.
Leroy Green, Programme Director, ICA
“We don’t know what’s the reason; we hope that probably it’s because they’ve only decided to send up the best because we do know that sometimes items come on stage that need more work and from last year we asked them that those entries that are not quite ready, don’t stage them because it’s a showcase of the best.”
And this morning some of the country’s best high school artists took centre stage to show off their respective talents. Organizers agree that the secondary schools festival has produced positive results.
Diane Westby, Principal, Ladyville Technical High School
“We find that our students, after being recognized whether by receiving a gold, silver or bronze award after their performance return to our schools with almost a new personality, feeling proud and happy about their achievements and we use that to help them to build strong character and emphasize the value that arts play or should play in their lives.”
Leroy Green
“We are hoping that by including the secondary school’s festival and our yearly plan here at NICH, that the schools will become motivated and don’t stop at standard four or six or even second form but put the arts on their time table as integral subject.”
“We need the younger people to start developing their talent so that in years to come, Belize can be assured of having artists in the future.”
Guitarist, Playing and Singing
“I can’t even walk without you holding my hand. The mountain is to hang and the valley is too wide…” (Music fades)
This morning President of the National Institute of Culture and History Yasser Musa encouraged every Belizean to express their inner artist.
Yasser Musa, President, NICH
“We have to now take it upon ourselves and say who among us will I be the next Florencio Mes, or will I be the next Leila Vernon for that matter. My point is, that no one will come to you and say, “look here’s a recording contract” “here is some money go and make music”. That is not how the real world works. You have to have it inside of you, whether it’s inside your church you’re singing or for your school or if you are singing on stage at the Bliss. You have to do it because it’s inside of you; it is something you want to do, something you want to say. Something you want to express to your people, your own Belizean people.”
Students singing…
“I know that I can do this. I know that I can win, just as long as I have his love within…” (singing fades)
According to ICA, in March the Preschool Festival of Arts will debut at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts as part of the official activities of Child Stimulation Month. Janelle Chanona reporting for News Five.
The secondary school performances in drama, dance and music will be held nightly starting tonight at seven, and running through Friday, February twenty-third. The Awards Night has been scheduled for next Monday. Entrance fees are five dollars for adults, three dollars children.
