_{Hon. Francis Fonseca, Chairman of the National Celebrations Committee}

by Charles Gladden

BELIZE CITY, Wed. Jun. 4, 2025

The theme for this year’s September celebrations will be: “Belize @44: Stronger Together, Rising Forever.” The winning theme was chosen from two individuals who had the exact same submissions – David Pena of Corozal Town, and Holly Vasquez of San Ignacio Town, Cayo District.

_{(l-r) Holly Vasquez and David Pena, theme submission winners; Hon. Francis Fonscea, Chairman, National Celebrations Committee}

“I’m into the national pride, and I was pondering upon the theme, and I said, what a fitting theme for this year; Belize @44: Stronger Together, Rising Forever. Belize has been through a lot of economic hardship. We went through the pandemic, and we managed to rise above it. So, it was just fitting that I put that theme together,” said Vasquez.

“I was seeing how together as Belizeans we can be stronger – as the theme says, stronger together – and we can rise together in Belize,” said Pena.

This year’s theme was unveiled on Wednesday, June 4, at the House of Culture in Belize City by Hon. Francis Fonseca, Chairman of the National Celebrations Committee; and Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City.

“As has become tradition, a dynamic team reviewed entries from our citizens and selected a theme that transcends just words, and forms a national call to action, a call to purpose, and a call to nation-building. September is more than flags and fireworks. It is a time when we reflect on our journey from resistance to resilience, from struggle to sovereignty. It is a time when we remember the courage of our ancestors, and reaffirm our responsibility to continue building a strong Belize, a Belize that is inclusive, and a forward-thinking Belize,” said Wagner.

“This year, as we set eyes on our national celebrations theme, let us do so with a renewed sense of national focus. Let it not just live on banners or t-shirts, but in our daily actions, how we treat one another, how we serve, and how we dream of Belize. We are proud; we are diverse people from every district, from every village, every walk of life; and though we may speak in different tongues or dance with different rhythms, our hearts beat together for the Jewel that I love, the Jewel that you all love as well,” Wagner added.

This year, over 600 theme submissions were received by the National Celebrations Commission, with the majority of them coming from the rural communities.

Each winner received a prize of $1,000 Bzd.