September Awakens Celebration Spirit in Belize

We’re halfway through the month of September which means in the past few weeks, the country has come alive with music, dance and colors for Belize’s patriotic festivities. This year, we are celebrating forty-four years under the theme “stronger together, rising forever, As the date draws near for Belize’s grand Independence Day celebration, we look back at some of the festive events that occurred leading up to the day. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with this week’s edition of Kolcha Tuesday.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

We’re just days away from Belizeans at home and abroad raising their flags high for the Forty-fourth Independence Day. It’s one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year, full of music, dancing, and national pride. But the party didn’t start today. Festivities kicked off months ago with the carnival launch in June, followed by the big fiftieth anniversary carnival gala in July. And now, as we hit the halfway mark in September, the spotlight turns to the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Address.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Culture

“Today and every day we celebrate the beauty and promise of Belize on this. 16th day of September 2025, the state of our nation is strong, proud, and filled with hope.”

 

Almost every patriotic festivity held during the month of September includes a musical performance, showcasing the talent of Belizean musicians. Cabinet Secretary, Stuart Leslie, shares some of the songs often heard during these performances.

 

Stuart Leslie, Cabinet Secretary

“On parade today providing musical support for the Guard of Honor. Mounted by the band of the Belize Defense Force is the musical staple, which will include musical staples that you hear normally during the holidays. They started off this morning with Under the Double Tree. They will play Belize by the Sea. They will play the Prime Minister salute when he came in, and they will play the National Anthem team in a short while.”

 

August was the month of pageantry with the Carnival King and Queen being crowned, as well as Belize’s new Queen of the Bay. Minister of Culture, Francis Fonseca, details the exciting celebrations that came once September kicked off.

 

Francis Fonseca

“For Belizeans at home and in the diaspora. September is a month of pride and patriotism, a month of culture and festivities, a month of celebrations. Starting with National Flag Day on September first, we have already witnessed two weeks of vibrant, amazing activities, including the Creative and Cultural Excellence Awards, the Frankie Reno concert series Timeless Tunes, the Belize Investment Summit. Carnival patriotic songs and poems, St. George’s Caye Day, the Fire Engine Parades and our National Day of Prayer.”

 

At just forty-four years, Belize is still a young nation, but each year brings new growth thanks to the contributions of the proud Belizeans that helped build it. On the seventeenth of September, Belize will host a tribute to those very patriots.

 

Francis Fonseca

“Tomorrow is the tribute to Belizean Patriots where we recognize and celebrate those whose work and live has contributed to the growth and development of our nation. On September 18th, we will proudly present to the nation our Belize National Orchestra under the leadership of Maestro Carlos Perot, and on the 19th it’s ard, one of my favorites. And of course, on September 21st, we celebrate the birth of our Nation Independence Day.”

 

This year, Belize celebrates under the theme “Stronger Together, Rising forever”, a theme created by two patriotic Belizeans. It is a call for national unity and the tribute to the strength and resilience of the Belizean people.

 

Francis Fonseca

“There must be a sense of purpose and unity as we confront the challenges facing our nation. At 44. Belize is a small nation, but we stand tall and proud. As a member of the international community of Nations. We have the unique privilege of being both Central American. And Caribbean. We embrace a foreign policy anchored in the values and principles of multilateralism, respect, dignity, fairness, and self-determination.”

As the country gears up to turn forty-four, Belizeans are being asked to join their hands and their hearts in support of one shared mission: unity and freedom. Britney Gordon for News Five.