Belizean poet Rowland Parks, a retired journalist who once wrote for The Reporter newspaper, received the Zee Edgell prize for Literary Arts at the House of Culture in Belize City on Wednesday, September 4.
Born in the Pomona Valley on December 19, 1955, young Parks’ writing skills soon drew him to work for the Amandala newspaper in 1981. A year later he decided to broaden his horizons and experience by migrating to the United States where he lived until the turn of the 21st century. Parks’ published works include “Voices of Our Children” volumes I and II, and “Poems of Patriots and Protest”.
Parks was only one of seven cultural icons honored by the National Celebrations Committee when the Ministry of Education Culture, Science and Technology and the National Institute of Culture and History hosted the annual Creative and Cultural Excellence awards ceremony at the House of Culture.
Minister of Culture Hon. Francis Fonseca and Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Kareem Musa presented the Beverly Smith Lopez prize for Acting in Theatre and Film to Teresita Ulloa. Mohobub Flores received the Andy Palacio prize for Belizean Music, and Adela Pederson Vallejos won the Leela Vernon prize for Creative Community Action and Safeguarding Cultural Heritage. Mercy Sabal won the George Gabb prize for Visual Arts, Alfonso Tzul won the Don Elijio Panti prize for Protection and Development of Traditional Knowledge, and husband and wife Mathew and Virgin Martinez of the Ugundani Dancers received the Rosita Baltazar prize for Dance.
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