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LOCAL Wednesday 24 april 2024

Meet our Aruban trailblazers:
Padu Lampe

(Oranjestad)—This week ness first-hand, was the first
we remember one of radio broadcast on the is-
our most beloved Aru- land on March 20th, 1954.
ban giant, Juan Chabaya Here, he was accompa-
Lampe—better known as nied by Antillean guitarist
Padu Lampe or Padu del Julian Coco and Hubert
Caribe. As one of the most “Loi” Booi.
important and renowned
artists in the Aruban cultural In the art world, Padu was
sphere, Padu’s long career also a known painter. Dur-
led him to be honored to- ing his youth, he made
day as “the father of cul- several painting using his
ture.” unique style. In 1939, he
participated in an art ex- by the Prince Bernhard nity.
On April 26th, 1920, Juan hibit in New York, where he Funds Netherlands Antilles. Padu will always be in
Chabaya Lampe “Padu won a bronze medal for his Besides that, Padu passed Aruba’s heart, because
Lampe/Padu del Caribe” he showed innovations in painting “Typical View of his exam on “Society to Ad- he had composed various
was born in Nassaustraat, his compositions. Lastly, Aruba.” vanced Ethical Hypnosis” special songs dedicated
Oranjestad. He grew up in Padu was a promoter of Padu remained a popular in 1964 in New Jersey. He to the mothers of the is-
a happy musical environ- Creole music around the artist within the Dutch Antil- received a certificate as land; his song “Sonrisa di un
ment, and it is because of world. les and the Caribbean as a a hypnotechnician, which baby” (“A baby’s Smile”)
this that he developed a One of the most important pianist, singer, author and gave him the authority to has been written in three
love for music. Starting from moments in Aruban history, painter. Padu Lampe was practice hypnosis in some different languages. Padu
the age of 12, he was ag- in which he was able to wit- a local artist who became states. also wrote our national an-
ile in the clarinet, mandolin renowned in Venezuela, Over the course of his ca- them “Aruba Dushi Tera”,
and cuatro. Henry Lampe, Colombia, The U.S. and reer, he received many along with Mr. Rufo Wever.
his father, was also a well- The Netherlands too. In the accolades and awards in This song was approved by
known pianist and musi- 1950s, he sold no less than Aruba, Curacao, Venezu- the government of Aruba
cian. 50 thousand copies of his ela and the Netherlands. and was named the offi-
In a publication of the infor- long-playing albums (LPs). Padu del Caribe passed cial anthem of the island in
mative seminar, “Observ- Padu Lampe was a multi- away on November 29th, 1976.
er”, from august 1st, 1962, faceted artist, inspired by 2019, at the age of 99 years
Padu’s many merits and his interest in parapsychol- old. Padu brought the Aru- Other songs that have
friendly personality stood ogy and supernatural phe- ban culture around the been considered as being
out. It was said that he was nomenon. He wrote three world. His legacy will re- almost a second anthem
an excellent pianist with a books in Papiamento on main ingrained in the Aru- for Arubans is the special
personal style and full of the subject in 1986, which ban cultural history, and composition he wrote for
surprises. Secondly, though was published by the Aru- he will be known forever as his wife Daisy Croes called
the composer was not too ban National Printing Press one of the most influential “Abo so”. Daisy later
familiar with music theory, with sponsorship provided trailblazers of our commu- passed away in 1994.q