What is KULCHA?
KULCHA stands for Keeping up with Language, Culture, Heritage and the Arts. It is a virtual symposium organised annually that aims to bring together academics, early career researchers, citizen scientists, activists, artists, and indigenous or community representatives to celebrate Belizean culture and heritage.
The Symposium is streamed online on Facebook and YouTube every year to ensure complete and FREE access to all presentations, and to give an opportunity to all interested persons to engage in the comments. We also make efforts to broadcast the symposium on local Belizean television channels.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This conference is for everyone and the participation of young academics, citizen researchers, activists, artists and indigenous or community representatives is highly encouraged! We welcome academic topics as well as case studies by individuals who are not in academia, as long as their presentation is related to areas of culture and heritage in Belize.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Access to the symposium is free, but donations to support Heritage Education Network Belize’s cause are greatly appreciated. HENB is a registered a 501c3 non-profit, non-governmental organization, meaning that all donations are tax deductible! Donate here!
Timeline
2024 timeline is to be decided.
FOR PRESENTERS
*2024 guide coming soon!
Pre-recorded presentations in .mp4 format are due to the organizing committee by August 13th, 2023
Click below for a guide to help you while recording your video presentation for the symposium!
The Belize KULCHA Symposium Story
#belizekulchasymposium
In light of the many disruptions caused by COVID-19, the first Belize KULCHA Symposium was held online from September 1st to 3rd, 2021, to create a virtual space for scholars and interested persons to present their ideas for lay and academic audiences, alike. Through the symposium, we hope to encourage interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue in the fields of culture and heritage on a publicly and perpetually accessible platform.
Participation of young researchers and activists is highly encouraged. We welcome presentations and case studies in Language, Culture, Heritage, Archaeology, Anthropology and the Arts from any discipline related to Belizean culture. In our view, all disciplines relate to these themes!
The Belize KULCHA symposium is organized by Heritage Education Network Belize, a 501c3 non-profit, non-governmental organization. Access to the symposium is free, but donations to support HENB’s cause are greatly appreciated.
KULCHA Presenters 2021
Report - 2021 KULCHA Symposium
On September 1st-3rd, 2021, the first annual Belize KULCHA Symposium was held virtually and broadcasted through several media outlets. Organized by Heritage Education Network Belize (HENB), the Belize KULCHA Symposium is a virtual, inclusive, and interdisciplinary space for academics and public persons to share knowledge, bridge boundaries, and create meaningful discourse on language, culture, heritage, and the arts.
Kulcha symposium Days 1 - 3 Facebook analytics for Impressions 18,087 and Reach 17,684.
Youtube Total Watch time 232 h and 639 views.
Open source accessibility of 39 research presentations.
Networking opportunities intercultural and transcultural dialogue.
"When Social Media meets Art and Culture" will be a presentation based on the U Chan Muul Yaax K'aax Maya Museum from the genesis to its developing stages, reaching out to the youth and elders. It will focus on how social media meets art and culture can transmit inspiration, hope, oral tradition and become a role model.