InidgiNOWBelize Concert To Change Venue
We turn now to choosing a new venue for the first ever World Indigenous Music Festival.
For about a week and a half now, the National Institute of Culture and History has been promoting the first ever "InidgiNOWBelize" Concert which is the World Indiginous Music Festival scheduled to take place from the 12th to the 14th of October at the MCC Grounds. Cultural musicians from Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and Belize are all scheduled to take the stage showcasing their music.
But, in another bit of news coming out from the BFF, they have officially written NICH and the Director of Sports expressing their disapproval to the use of the MCC grounds as venue to the event. BFF President Ruperto Vicente stated that the pitch will be subject to severe damage due to the driving of vehicles on it. Vicente stated that after the King and Queen Carnival presentations, the pitch was embedded with deep ruts caused by vehicle tires. Vicente also stated that the field is used every weekend by women, youth and children participating in scheduled tournaments and games.
As a result of BFF's concerns, NICH issued a press release today stating that the venue for the World Indigenous Music Festival will be changed. The release states and we quote, "The change is outside the control of NICH and its partners since approval for the use of the grounds had been granted well in advance of the Festival. It is unfortunate that the decision to not allow the use of MCC was made nearly on the eve of the Festival. Nevertheless, the Festival will continue and an alternative venue is being sought. The new venue will be announced shortly." End of quote.
The focus of the Festival is to showcase Belize as the go to country for tourists who wish to experience Indigenous cultures and their authentic and diverse music. Along with the musicians who were set to take the stage, artisans, dance performers and indigenous groups are expected to showcase their work and talents at the IndigiNOWBelize Festival. Scheduled to highlight the festival are Orange Walk's very own Lucio and the New Generation along with Los Pastele's Verdes from Peru.
NICH continues the search for a new location and as soon as that is set, we will bring to you any new information.
CTV3