Myrna Manzanares Belizean culture icon dead at age 75
Belize is mourning following the passing of culture icon Myrna Manzanares MBE, a literary artist and educator.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology says Manzanares, 75, was a well-known cultural ambassador in Belizean and international artistic communities.
Throughout the years, she played an essential role in safeguarding and promoting the Creole culture and, by extension, all cultures of Belize.
Her life's work encouraged the inter-ethnic harmony of our Belizean people. In 1995, she co-founded the National Kriol Council, which aims to promote the culture and language of Belizean Creole people.
In 2008, Manzanares was honoured as a Member of the Order of the British Empire "for services to education, culture and social development." That same year, she was kept in Belize's Outstanding Women Awards, and in 2018, she was named one of the first-ever Artists Emeritus by the National Institute of Culture and History.
The ministry states: "As we take this time to mourn her passing, we are also grateful for her many contributions to culture and education. On behalf of the MoECST family, we say, "Thank you, Ms Myrna!" May her soul rest in peace and may perpetual light shine on her."
Meanwhile, the National Kriol Council in Belize says it is deeply saddened by her passing.
The Council in a Facebook post said: "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our Beloved Sista & friend Myrna, you left a hole in our hearts we will never forget you!
Our Kriol gyal, the woman that doesn't play about her culture God called you home so we cannot question his work.
Yhu hurt wi Myrna! Until the roll is called up yonder sista
Rest in Perfect Peace Myrna Manzanares.”
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