Imagination Factri

July 9, 2026
Belize has just returned from Guatemala City, where a small group of publishers, writers, and creators was invited to partic- ipate in the Segundo Encuentro de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil de Centroamérica.

The Encuentro is a celebration of literature, illustration, reading, and creativity for the children of our region. Ninety-five partici- pants representing every country in Central America gathered for three days to discuss the future of children’s literature, exchange ideas and experiences, strengthen professional networks, and explore ways to foster a stronger culture of reading among children and young people.

Through presentations, workshops, panel discussions, and col- laborative conversations, participants celebrated the richness and diversity of Central America while working together to build a more connected and vibrant regional children’s book community.
This marked Belize’s second participation in the regional gath- ering, reflecting the country’s growing contribution to Central America’s children’s book sector.

The Belize delegation included Montse Casademunt of Cubola Publishers, who facilitated a panel on children’s literature in the native languages of the Caribbean coast of Central America; Katie Usher of Imagination Factri, who shared their work in nur- turing creativity and documenting and amplifying marginalized narratives; and Silvaana Udz, who gave a presentation on the National Kriol Council ́s work to preserve and promote the Kriol language through the publication of the Kriol Dikshineri.

Last year, Belizean illustrators were featured in the regional exhi-
bition and the newly published Catálogo de Ilustradores.This
year, the country’s publishing sector was included in the Catálogo de Editores.Together, these two landmark publications celebrate the creative talent and publishing capacity of Central America and will serve as valuable reference resources for future regional collaboration.

The event was coordinated by numerous regional and interna- tional organizations. We would like to express our sincere grat- itude to the organizers for their invitation and the opportunity to participate.

YOU ARE INVITED
18 October
@ 7pm

Katie Numi Usher is one of the most dominant conceptual and contemporary Belizean artists of the 21st century. Katie is partnering with the Museum of Belize and Houses of Culture and the Imagination Factri to present her latest work Silence’s Loud because Sound’s Disallowed a video performance project by Katie Numi Usher exploring voice and silencing (self and imposed) in collaboration with Carlos ‘Lito’ Quiroz, Yasser Musa, Nelita Castillo and Ivan Duran.
Her public encounters being on 4 April 2025 at 10:00 am at the Corozal House of Culture, in Corozal Town.

ZYANIA

There are certain artists who draw you into their process—the space of becoming, experimenting, and creating. My daughter Mya, who is always kind to her daddy when it comes to technology, showed me the work of her friend Zyania Alonzo, a former classmate.

I assume Zyania, a Belizean artist, is about 24 years old, which makes her story all the more compelling and inspirational. Sure, she is an artist with strong technical skill, but what inspires me most about her work is her design thinking and marketing approach.

You can find her art products on Instagram and Facebook. By the way, her signature is badass.

Our emerging artists have tools and techniques of extraordinary efficiency and competence. I want young Zyania to know that she belongs to a large family of Belizean creatives.

I also want her to know that her work is not only valuable in monetary terms but also important to the broader tradition and struggles that all artists face, to cultural development.

Many artists are good people—they are sensitive and compassionate. They make the world better because they do things others often avoid: exploring, experimenting, and pushing ideas forward. This morning, I am thinking about young Zyania because her work speaks volumes.

Respect, Ms. Alonzo.

Photos: I borrowed these images from Zyania's social media spaces. I hope she does not mind.

New BOOK presentation -The Battle of Orange Walk by Angel Cal

Thursday 21st November 2024 @ 10:00am

91 North Front Street, Belize City, Belize

Belize City, Belize – November 11, 2024 – The ImagiNation Factri, NICH, and the University of Belize are pleased to announce the official launch of The Battle of Orange Walk, a new and significant publication by Angel Cal, University of Belize history professor.

The Battle of Orange Walk delves deep into the historical records surrounding the legendary battle and the resistance led by Marcos Canul in Northern Belize. Through meticulous transcriptions, Professor Cal offers readers a rare and compelling look into the narratives of resistance that have shaped Belize's history.

The book is the result of a unique collaborative effort involving the University of Belize’s History Department and the Intercultural Indigenous Language Institute, along with the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH)/Institute for Social and Cultural Research (ISCR) and the Belize Archives and Records Service.

The ImagiNation Factri, NICH, and the University of Belize invite the public, historians, educators, and those passionate about Belizean history to celebrate this milestone. The launch of The Battle of Orange Walk represents cultural memory and the collective recognition of our ancestors’ resilience.

For more information about the event or to RSVP, please get in touch with Mr. Delmer Tzib at [email protected]

Our Mental Diet and Friendship
Notes @ Independence High for Belize @ 43

by yasser musa | 18 September 2024 | Independence High School
I love that Independence High proudly features a Malcolm X quote headlining homepage. Thank you, Mr. Deon Westby, for inviting me to speak to your students, and thank you teacher Tiana Felix for your logistical support. I brought along 13 screens, a REEL, a short video clip and some words - shots from the heart.

Let me show you a framed image of my great-grandmother, Augustina Gibbs (née Hernandez), who migrated from Chan Santa Cruz, Mexico—a pivotal site in the Maya resistance during the Ba'atabil Kichkelem Yúum (Caste War, 1847-1901). This conflict, displaced and claimed over 250,000 lives and shaped the very fabric of Northern Belize and parts of the West.

As Belize approaches its 43rd anniversary, I remember Elfreda Reyes, an unsung hero who fought for workers' rights nearly a century ago. She stood boldly against colonial powers and corrupt merchants, earning the title "Bembe"—a badge of honour.

Next, I want to show you the Museum of Belizean Art (MOBA). Recently opened in the former Governor’s dining room, it now showcases the vibrant works of 68 Belizean artists across generations and cultures. Learning about our identity through art, even on our phones, is vital.

Today I reflect on Edison Coleman, perhaps Belize's most beloved entertainer, he made us laugh for decades. His genius deserves to be rediscovered, inspiring us to understand that words have energy and power to lift us up.

Over the last century, countless pieces of our Maya heritage have been unearthed, revealing incredible stories of resilience. The artifacts studied by national and international scholars show how the Maya developed sustainable food systems that have endured for over 5,000 years. These lessons about land and climate rights are crucial and urgent today.

I cannot think Independence without acknowledging the Amandala Newspaper, which burst onto the scene on August 13, 1969, proclaiming, "Amandala means 'Power to the People.'" This rallying cry reminds us of our need to take control of our destiny.

Today, in this place called Independence I remember Maximo Perez, an Icaiche Maya, who stood up against powerful landowners in the 1930s, fighting for his village's survival. His granddaughter, Carmen, preserved his story, reminding us that our histories must be told.

My young friends, what Carmen and Amandala did was unlock our nation's consciousness.

Recently, the Belize Music Project was launched, aiming to map the last century of Belizean music. This project connects us to our roots, showing how our past inspires new creativity.

I also want to highlight Dr. Joseph Palacio, a brilliant nation builder. Beyond his impressive credentials, he is a deep thinker and a generous friend. His kindness reminds us of the importance of connection in a world overwhelmed by screens and distractions.

We are all part of this collective imagination that is Belize. Imagination requires us to aspire and believe in who we can become.

As we navigate this digitally accelerated age, we must reflect on the meaning of friendship, conversation, and silence. Our mental diet is just as important as our physical one—what we consume in our minds shapes who we are.

Before I close I offer my respect to Mr Oscar Guitierrez of Independence Village. I got to meet him today, and he gave me a copy of his new book - The Tides: The Socio-economic Development of Mid-South Communities In Belize. I can’t wait to read it.

We are at a crossroads where we must reclaim our narrative.
We need a People’s Archive—where everyone can contribute their stories, honouring those who built and continue to build our nation.

Who in your family is a nation builder? Like Elfreda, Like Edison, Like George Price, Like Maximo, Like Augustina, Like Joseph, Like Oscar?

With the powerful new tools we have let us tell our stories, together.

The Montse of Books

by yasser musa

Last week a grateful nation bestowed its special honour of Meritorious Service Award to Montserrat Casademunt. Many will not know her by name, but almost every child since the 1970s will have experienced her work.

The small publishing company called Cubola started over 50 years ago by Montse and Joan Duran in Benque Viejo del Carmen. One of their first responsibilities was to design and develop some of Belize’s most iconic Independence materials – booklets, pamphlets, flyers, and posters for our internationalization march to Independence. This is what George Price would call a task for giants.

And since 1981 Montse has been one of the leading figures spearheading the transformational work of de-colonizing our education system through an innovative and home-grown approach to publishing pedagogy.

The record of service is there, check the books, literally. Books for children of all ages from pre-school to high school, on nation building, community, culture, literature, environment, geography, political science, anthropology, archaeology, cooking, plants, fruits, health, photography – you get the picture.

Montse was born and raised in the Catalonian city Barcelona. It is a place whose people are still fighting for Independence. And after all these decades of publishing books, the lady from Benque, is still fighting for our mental independence.

Respect to Barcelona. Respect to Benque.

Respect Montse. Abrazos.

The task is to engage in a process to unpack, document, digitise, and advertise life's work of an artist in Belize.

That process is the art.

In These Plain Sketches
By Rowland Parks

Printed in Reporter Newspaper 2012

At first there was just
this solitary place
tucked inside
the naked garments of green,
then it stirred, coming to life
with mahogany logs floating
on the subdued river
ready to join hands with insects
creeping out of the crimson breeze,
when the children were calling
in their soundless voices
the bread-less
bottom feeders sprinkled across the map,
now they groan
in voices distilled
from the sapphire edges
in the poverty of songs,
from the empty foreign words
in this endless pantomime
of the dying that goes unseen,
when inhabitants
of the city's barren square
fall down like shadows soldiers
in liquid boots,
trampling the innocence of
inter-planetary skies,
in these spaces
where we are still seeking truth
from among skeletons
dripping & dropping
in the sounds of bullets,
the scorched flowers growing
inside the sepultures of churches
but you,
You Miss independent nation
still sketching hope from the bread of our savior
in those burnt-out ironies,
the fragments of crosses
where the dying youth write
today's history lesson
on the silent pages of colossal stones
in numberless
merciless silence of expended shells,
and cartridges from which
dreams are ejected,
erased like the spirits of drowned fishes,
you can't see begging for victuals
at the city's empty gates
where the iron ocean
still holds them hostage
and they will not awaken
in the glass hours
that are buried in the bones of
eavesdropping ghosts
who parade in rainy nights
then awake
with hands clutching
at the elusive, plastic dawns,
like clerks in retirement cycles,
serving the bread
and dream
from baskets, labeled:
"made for the revolution"
but in the words of weakened
metallic apostles
shinning like the sins of unholy salvation,
still bearing gifts for the rotting
carcasses of the empires
vomiting poison in seas,
fermenting with tears
from the frightened tribulation of our stories.

Save the date...
you are invited.