Caretaker Minister Jorien Wuite and Professor Gerhard Hoogers during the St. Maarten Relay Race.
THE HAGUE–After four months of preparations and communication with participants, the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of St. Maarten/St. Martin Day with two separate events.
This year’s celebrations mirrored to those in St. Maarten in relation to theme and contents.
On November 8, entrepreneurs, up-and-coming artists and professionals were showcased. Attention was given to St. Maarten’s history and traditions.
Former Minister Plenipotentiary Mathias Voges hosted a breakout session themed “Back in the days”. He presented interesting historical facts and shared some of the island’s customs, it was stated in a press release.
John Sandiford was the host for the entrepreneurs’ breakout session, where local entrepreneurs of St. Maarten descent were given the opportunity to relate to the large audience present their road to doing business in the Netherlands. Some of the entrepreneurs who participated in the session were M. Beauperthuy, Duarte Smith, Jerome York and Nazeth Smith.
St. Maarten dance students Clifford Brown and Manukiel Edward presented the futuristic version of the ponum dance.
In this year’s setup, St. Maarten culinary artists were afforded the opportunity to sell local dishes to the patrons in attendance. Dishes included Johnny cake and chicken-leg, various local soups, rice and peas, coconut tarts and others. Guavaberry from St. Maarten, St. Maarten apparel and souvenirs were also for sale during the event.
At the official reception were various ambassadors, representatives of the government of the Netherlands, international organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and persons from the St. Maarten diaspora in the Netherlands, including students, young professionals and seniors.
The programme included musical interludes by the Lady of Jazz herself, Anastacia Larmonie accompanied by acoustic guitarist Luis Larmonie.
Daughter of the soil and professional songstress Rachell Brown did a rendition of the St. Maarten song.
Reverend Dr. Joan Del Sol Mead from the Netherlands circuit of the Methodist Church did the prayers. Speakers for the evening included Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary Carol Voges, who highlighted the theme “We Story” and its connection to the path St. Maarten is on, with the clear message that St. Maarten will move forward through unity and mutual respect.
There was also a spoken-word segment during which Lysanne Charles and Edwina Hodge recited works they had created specifically for the occasion.
One of St. Maarten’s cultural icons in the Netherlands, Violet Lake, together with her group Gwendis, performed a skit representing local market vendors from back in the days.
Caretaker Minister Plenipotentiary Jorien Wuite alluded to the historical relevance of keeping both the tangible and intangible culture of St. Maarten alive. “As the country transitions and moves forward, this is of major importance,” she said. “Notwithstanding the many hiccups experienced over the past nine years, St. Maarten as a young country was allowed its mistakes, but in moving forward as a nation, we will get it right in the benefit of its people.”
She spoke of the significance of embracing unity between the North and South sides of the island. Her main message was “One island, one people, one destiny”.
Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary Michael Somersall recited his rendition of a poem inspired by Maya Angelou. His message to St. Maarten was, “We will rise”.
The official reception was followed by a mini-concert by a few St. Maarten musical ambassadors in the Netherlands: Orange Grove and Kyle “DJ Spy” Brown.
The Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary held the first around-the-island relay race – Netherlands edition, in the Zuiderpark, The Hague, on November 10. The goal was to engage students in sports and health-related activities in addition to their academic studies and it is set to be organised annually by the Cabinet.
The coordination of this event was led by a sports committee consisting of Alaine van De’Listle, Jamil Richardson and Kevin Javois, under Wuite’s leadership. The committee received assistance from TriSport, the top sport division of the municipality of The Hague, as well as USC and UPG.
In total seven teams registered, each team consisting of 11 runners. Teams participating came from the private and public sectors. Two universities registered and were among the top teams together with a team of the Kingdom Relations Ministry and the Runners Pack of The Hague.
Two local teams consisting of young professionals and students also participated and were successful in placing first and second in the winner’s circle. Medals were presented to the winners by St. Maarten Council of State member Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz.
Wuite and Somersall were amongst the runners. After the run, all present were treated to Johnny cake provided by The Johnny Caker in the Netherlands through the sponsorship of IS Cleaning, a company owned by young professional Luis Hurtault, and bush tea. Duarte Smith sponsored the catering services through his company DIS.
Images of the 2019 St. Maarten Day celebration can be seen on the Cabinet’s Facebook page courtesy of Jeffrey Richardson, who was on hand to provide live streaming of both events.
The Cabinet thanked the more than 200 patrons who participated in the event and those that were sponsors.
Caretaker Minister Plenipotentiary Jorien Wuite delivering her speech to more than 200 attendees in celebration of “We Story”.
Captain of the St. Maarten Relay Race winning team Kevin Javois (right).
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92412-several-activities-held-to-mark-st-maarten-day-in-netherlands
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