Courtesy of: The Morning News
Aruba’s National Day, March 18, also called Himno y Bandera, (Anthem and Flag Day) is a time of celebration, offset by reflection upon what it means to be Aruban, and how the people can best serve their island nation to progress and prosper.
This is exemplified by the rather solemn official observance on L.G. Smith Boulevard in the morning, which ended with festive entertainment and a parade by national agencies, sports groups and scout troops.
Governor of Aruba, Fredis Refunjol, Prime Minister Mike Eman, ministers and parliamentarians had the honor of welcoming a number of dignitaries from the other Dutch Caribbean islands, such as the Governor of Curaçao, the Honorable Lucille George-Wout, and from Holland, Director General of Kingdom Affairs, Richard van Zwol, along with the many citizens of Aruba who came to observe the occasion.
The speakers during the morning event were, as tradition demands, Prime Minister Mike Eman, and this year, Minister of Tourism, Transport, Primary Sector and Culture, Otmar Oduber. Minister Oduber recited a brief history of key figures in Aruba’s struggle for autonomy within the Dutch Kingdom. He pointed to the examples and sacrifices of the PM‘s grandfather, Henny Eman, founder of their political party, AVP, who along with Juan Irausquin, initiated the movement for Aruban Independence, as well as Eman’s son, Albert, who originally presented the petition on March 18, 1948 in Holland.
Those 1948 negotiations resulted in the formation of the Netherlands Antilles in 1951, but Aruban Independence, Status Aparte, would not become a reality until 1986. Gilberto Francois “Betico” Croes, founder of the MEP political party, took up the baton to continue to crusade for Aruban autonomy. It was under his leadership that Aruba decided upon its own national anthem and flag, which were unveiled on March 18, 1976.
The point to Minister Oduber’s discourse, repeated and enlarged upon by Prime Minister Eman, was that Aruba’s National Day transcends any political leanings or differences. It is a time for all to unite under the island’s flag and sing its anthem; to celebrate the island’s prosperity and the achievements of its people.
The Prime Minister‘s impassioned address stirred the audience. His plea for all to look to the future and instill in the next generation the same pride in their Aruban identity and love of country, brought a wave of applause.
Following the formal speeches, those attending were treated to a variety of entertainment, including native dancers, popular island singers, and this year’s winner of the National Patriotic Poetry Contest, Frank Croes, reciting his poignant piece, “Tera Seco, Tera Cora,” (Dry Land, Red Land.)
