On July 1, 2026, Belize took a key first step toward its upcoming 45th Independence anniversary celebrations, with the National Celebrations Commission officially unveiling the year’s unifying rallying cry: “Look At Me: I Am Belize at 45.” The winning theme was submitted by Amber Mariano, and will anchor all national September festivities held across the country this year.
Unlike general themes that center national institutions or major historical milestones, this year’s selection was crafted to shine a spotlight on the ordinary Belizeans whose quiet, consistent contributions have built and shaped the nation over its 45 years of independence. Speaking at the official theme launch, Minister of Culture Francis Fonseca walked through the rigorous, inclusive selection process that led to the final pick.
Every year, the national theme selection draws thousands of submissions from communities across every corner of Belize, with ordinary citizens eager to participate in shaping the narrative of their national celebrations. A dedicated committee reviews all entries to narrow down the options, and this year, “Look At Me: I Am Belize at 45” stood out for its fresh, introspective angle.
Fonseca explained that the core spirit of the theme is to encourage national reflection at this 45-year milestone. Rather than only looking back at collective history, the theme calls on every individual Belizean to turn inward and examine their own role in the country’s ongoing growth. “What am I doing to make Belize better? How am I contributing to the growth and development of Belize?” Fonseca said, outlining the core questions the theme poses.
For Fonseca himself as a public servant, the theme translates to a personal challenge: to push himself to do more for Belize and serve the population more effectively. That same challenge extends to all professions across the country: for media workers, it means asking how they can become more committed, responsible reporters and creators; for teachers, it means reflecting on how they can better nurture the next generation of Belizeans; for private sector workers, it means considering how their work lifts local communities. In every sector, the theme invites personal accountability and renewed dedication to national progress.
With the theme now officially announced, full-scale preparations for the September national celebrations are kicking off across all regions of Belize, bringing communities together to mark the 45th year of independence around the unifying message of introspection and collective commitment.
This report is adapted from a transcript of an original television evening newscast.