Episode 27: Remembering the Great Andy Vivien Palacio

This week, we pause to honor the life and profound legacy of a man whose vision, music, and activism continues to shape our identity: Andy Vivien Palacio (1960–2008).

Andy was not just an artist; he was a cultural champion whose journey was galvanized by a truly formative experience in the 1980s—a moment he described as a “real wake-up call” when he witnessed the near-disappearance of the Garifuna language in Nicaragua.

The Man Who Gave Belize Its 'National Sound'

In this episode, host José Francisco Ávila explores how Andy turned that sense of loss into a powerful mission to preserve our culture:

• The Birth of Punta Rock: Learn how Andy solidified Punta Rock (pioneered by Pen Cayetano) and helped it grow from a genre into Belize’s proud "National Sound."
• Global Recognition: We celebrate his achievement as the first Central American artist designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace, and his triumph winning the prestigious WOMEX Award for the album Watina.
• The Plea: We reflect on the powerful, haunting question Andy posed in his song 'Ámuñegü' (In Times to Come): “Who will speak Garifuna with me in times to come?”

Andy Palacio’s legacy is a foundation of pride and a perpetual call to action for all of us.

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• The Garifuna Experience in NYC | Bronx walking tour
• The Garifuna Experience in NYC 
• The Happy Land Memorial Walking Tour 
•  Garifuna Heritage Walking Tour (BronxNet Video)

Books by José Francisco Ávila

• Pan-Garifuna Afro-Latino Power of Pride: My Quest for Racial, Ancestral, Ethnic and Cultural Identity
• Garífuna Ancestry: The DNA Quest to Decipher the Garifuna Distant Past