Courtesy of: The Morning News
By: Rosalie Klein
ORANJESTAD – Visitors to Fort Zoutman have an exciting new exposition awaiting at the Aruba Historical Museum within the landmark. On Friday evening, January 24, Aruba‘s Governor Fredis Refunjol, Minister of Education, Family Policy and Adult Education, Michelle Hooyboer-Winklaar and Minister of Social Affairs, Youth Policy and Labor, Paul Croes were special guests for the official unveiling of “XPO 1880.”
This newest exploration of Aruban history and culture was particularly devised to involve and spark interest among island youth in investigating their antecedents and appreciating their cultural heritage. The program deployed 20 schoolchildren, who were dubbed “Special Agents,” as they obtained family heirlooms, or selected to investigate traditional practices such as herbal recipes, which then branched out to understanding native flora and their medicinal qualities, or explored the history of their school or house.
The participants were Thomas Brown: Special Agent Carbachi 026, Byron Lesire: Special Agent Barica Geel 019, Stephanie Gamarra: Special Agent Casibari 010, Juan David Oduber: Special Agent Turibana 017, Aimar Erasmus: Special Agent Andicuri 009, Jasmin Geerman: Special Agent Abeha 004, Nina Yrausquin: Special Agent Abracadabra 003, Ariana Arends: Special Agent Macuarima 013, Jason Farro: Special Agent Boroto 022. Oswy Croes: Special Agent Cadushi 025, Melany Collar: Special Agent Shoco 006, Jada van der Linde: Special Agent Arawak 007, Sarai Carrion: Special Agent Kenepa 011, Valentina Mascolo, Special Agent Cascabel 005, Denise Croes, Special Agent Chuchubi 022 Kevin Richardson, Special Agent Andicuri 001, Caitlin Steenken Special Agent Baranca 016, Kevin Trimon Special Agent Coribori 018, Alyza Braamskamp. Special Agent Bomboshi 023 and Andrea Nuboer Special Agent Chaskero 027. The young detectives, digging out the clues and information on Aruba’s history and culture, were costumed as secret agents for their introduction by Museum Volunteer and Organizers Zahira Zaandam.
They led Governor Refunjol and the ministers into the museum, and invited the dignitaries to break through the paper barrier to reveal the new and delightful display. The subjects of their investigations are diverse, from a full-fledged landmark cunucu house in which Stephanie Gamarra spends a great deal of time with her grandmother, to the golf clubs Thomas Brown’s great-grandfather used when the first golf club opened in San Nicolas. One can learn the traditional recipe Caitlin Steenken’s grandparents brought from Germany for rolled crepes made on a special, decorative waffle iron, passed down through the generations, or for herbal soup, “Sopi di Breba,” from Kevin Trimon.
The objects and their stories, as well as the family histories of the children involved, are recounted in Papiamento and English, along with the investigative process in obtaining the information. The revelations are often startling and consistently fascinating. Melany Collar, while investigating the 150 year old chess table that is still used by her uncle, learned that her great-grandfather was a chess master who faced off against the likes of Bobby Fischer during international competitions.
The children enthusiastically shared their information with each other, uniformly agreeing the project was full of surprises for them and has instilled a desire to learn more. They found not only their personal family histories very involving, but those of their friends, as well.
XPO 1880 is scheduled to be on display for one year, but with a fluid format entailing new investigations, which will further involve Aruba’s youth. The plan includes taking the program to island schools, possibly integrating it into the curriculum.
The Aruba Historical Museum in Oranjestad is open Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM until noon and from 1:30 to 4:00 PM. Entrance fee is $5. Fort Zoutman is also the venue for the weekly Bon Bini Festival on Tuesday evenings, when the museum exhibits are also available.
