Symposium
Garifuna Popular Music and Arts
Georgia State University School of Music, April 19, 2008.
“Andy Palacio – tribute to a leader in culture and the arts

Abstract
This presentation is about Andy Palacio as the product of a socio-culture, who assumed various roles to reach some of the world’s highest acclaims in world music. I show that Andy was pivotal in forming Belize’s national culture as the country achieved independence in 1981. He successfully bridged the gap between Culture with a capital “C” and popular culture – the former being synonymous with national culture and the latter popular song and music.

Andy Palacio – some reflections
By Dr. Joseph Palacio

In the past few days we have heard much about Andy Palacio, the icon. I would like to share a few words about Andy Palacio as the product of the Garifuna community of Barranco and the larger emerging nation of Belize.

• The Wall Street Journal.
  Black, Amerindian and Proud of Building on Tradition.
  
  Andy Palacio's story started sometime in the 17th century, when a ship filled with Africans bound for slavery was wrecked off the Honduras coast an the survivors were taken in by the arawak Indians. Or maybe it started even earlier...
  
  
• Cumbancha
  Andy Palacios and the Garifuna Collective
  Watina - Paris 12/05/2007
  
• Andy Palacio’s Wátina Reaches #1 on the World Music Charts Europe
  
• Helping a country to raise its voices .
  By Reed Johnson
  Times Staff Writter
  Ivan Duran Preserves and promotores Belize's music, a stew as beguiling and obscure as its homeland.
  
• The Daily Telegraph World
  Andy Palacios & the Garifuna Collective
  
• Boston Sunday Globe
  A true cultural ambassador
  By tracing musical roots, singer Andy Palacios raises awareness of his people.
  
  
• Andy Palacio
  Palacio is a singer based in Belize, a Garifuna, a descendent of ex-slaves exiled in 1797 from the island...
  
• Top 10 Albums of the issue