Cultural performance.
WILLEMSTAD--There is a great need for knowledge and information about local history and culture. This was one of the key conclusions of the public dialogue held Monday evening during the annual commemoration of the slave revolt led by Tula on August 17, 1795, at the “Parke di Lucha pa Libertat” in Rif.
“Dia di Lucha pa Libertat” (Day of the Struggle for Freedom) is organised annually by “Asosashon Promoshon Konsenshi Istóriko” (APKI), the association dedicated to promoting historical conscience. This year’s edition was centred on the theme “Un Pueblo ku Konosementu i Konsenshi Históriko ta Konstruí un Futuro Emansipá i Briante” (A People with Historical Knowledge and Conscience will Build an Emancipated and Brilliant Future).
In addition to the traditional cultural programme, there was also a dialogue regarding the emancipatory process of Curaçao’s people. According to Gilbert “Gibi” Bacilio, statutory chairman of APKI, those present agreed that Curaçao’s emancipatory process is still ongoing, but that there is a great need for knowledge of the island’s own history and culture.
“Since the abolition of slavery on July 1, 1863, there have been many major developments on Curaçao. However, we must acknowledge that nowadays many people – not only young people, but also adults – are unaware of this.
“Consequently, there was a call from the audience for more attention to be paid to this. One of the conclusions of the evening was therefore that the history and culture of Curaçao should be compulsory subjects in education,” stated Bacilio in a retrospective of Monday’s proceedings.
Another point that emerged during the dialogue is that the people of Curaçao need more leadership in the emancipatory process the island is currently undergoing.
The commemoration – in the presence of Governor Mauritsz de Kort and Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport OWCS Sithree “Cey” van Heydoorn (MFK) – further consisted of performances by cultural groups, presentations, and a dialogue with attendees about the future of the island.
Bacilio stated Tuesday morning that APKI was very pleased with the turnout. “We have experienced years where attendance was disappointing, but we now see that more people are showing up every year. The official programme started at 7:00pm, but from 5:00pm onwards we showed videos about Curaçao culture and history.”
“However, all seats were occupied very quickly. This proves once again that there is a great need for information about our own history and culture,” said the APKI chairman.
