Belizean Writers and Poets Society

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The Belizean Writers and Poets Society is a literary organization established in 2005 to promote Belizean writing and poetry.

Belize country in Central America

Belize is a country located on the eastern coast of Central America. Belize is bordered on the northwest by Mexico, on the east by the Caribbean Sea, and on the south and west by Guatemala. It has an area of 22,970 square kilometres (8,867 sq mi) and a population of 387,879 (2017). Its mainland is about 180 mi (290 km) long and 68 mi (110 km) wide. It has the lowest population and population density in Central America. The country's population growth rate of 1.87% per year (2015) is the second highest in the region and one of the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

Contents

Formation

The organization was registered in August 2005 as the Belizean Poets Society and formally launched by six individuals in Belize City on September 8, 2005.

Belize City City in Belize, Belize

Belize City is the largest city in Belize and was once the capital of the former British Honduras. According to the 2010 census, Belize City has a population of 57,169 people in 16,162 households. It is at the mouth of the Haulover Creek, which is a tributary of the Belize River. The Belize River empties into the Caribbean Sea five miles from Belize City on the Philip Goldson Highway on the coast of the Caribbean. The city is the country's principal port and its financial and industrial hub. Cruise ships drop anchor outside the port and are tendered by local citizens. The city was almost entirely destroyed in 1961 when Hurricane Hattie swept ashore on October 31. It was the capital of British Honduras until the government was moved to the new capital of Belmopan in 1970.

The founding members were Adele Ramos of Amandala , Ansel West, Margaret Arana, Police Supt. Edward Broaster, Erwin X (Jones) and Orson Elrington.

Adele Ramos is a Belizean poet, author, journalist and publisher. She is assistant editor of the Amandala, a widely circulated tabloid newspaper, published twice weekly.

<i>Amandala</i> Belizean tabloid newspaper

Amandala is a Belizean tabloid newspaper; published twice weekly, it is considered the "most widely circulated newspaper in Belize". It was established on 13 August 1969 as the print organ of the now-defunct United Black Association for Development (UBAD), but has been politically independent since the mid-1970s. Its offices are located at 3304 Partridge Street in Belize City.

Edward Robert Broaster is a Belizean police officer and writer.

Its stated mission was "to enhance and harness poetic skills among Belizean poets, foster the development of the art of poetry, and promote its appreciation among Belizeans."

Reorganization

The Poets Society in 2008 reorganized itself to include writers of all persuasions, and is now the Belizean Writers and Poets Society. [1]

Activities

The Society holds an annual Poets Competition coinciding with Belize's September Celebrations, as well as smaller gatherings and exhibitions.

The September Celebrations are a pair of holidays in Belize only eleven days apart. They are:

Society members such as Ramos, Erwin, Kalilah Enriquez and Edward Broaster are all published authors of poetry and other media and are routinely called on to present works at important ceremonies.

Officers

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References

  1. ↑ "Poets Society expands to include writers". News 5. Belize: Great Belize Productions Ltd. 27 February 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
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