Page 13 - ARUBATODAY

A13
Thursday 23 January 2020

Celebration Day of a National Hero

ORANJESTAD - The island of Aruba has a spe- later and enhanced the independence from
cial day coming up this Saturday, January 25th. the Netherlands. However, it never came to a
The island will have lots of festivities that honor total independence of Aruba in 1996; it was 'Betico Day' is a national holiday to be spend
the late pro-autonomy political leader Gilberto dropped in 1990. The Status Aparte within the with family and friends. Great way to learn and
Francois (Betico) Croes. He helped the island Kingdom of the Netherlands was to be a per- discover the rich culture and history of Aruba.
attain the Status Aparte. Aruba was allowed to manent one. Renaissance Marketplace will celebrate this
function as a commonwealth within the Dutch day with a live performance by Rincon Boyz.
Kingdom and Betico is honored for this outcome Activities Perfect family night out for dinner and enter-
since 1989 by celebrating the Dia di Betico. The Friday January 24 tainment. Between 8 and 10pm.
official holiday features performances, sporting Concert symphony orchestra & local artists
events and games throughout the island. At Plaza di Betico you can enjoy a live concert Miniature boat races
of our symphony orchestra together with local Watch the handmade miniature boats go to
Croes himself was not able to enjoy the results artists to celebrate the day of our national hero. water at Governor’s Bay in Oranjestad. One of
of his ongoing struggle; he was involved in an The concert will take place Friday night at 8pm Aruba’s oldest cultural traditions are still alive.
accident on December 31, 1985, and got into a and is free entrance. Take the chance to talk to one of the boat
coma. He passed away on November 26, 1986. builders and hear them out about this tradition.
For the Aruban people, his words will never be Saturday January 25 From 9.30am.
forgotten. He told his people: “Si mi cai na ca- Lighthouse special
minda, gara e bandera y sigue cu e lucha’ Come and climb to the top of our national There are much more things to do this weekend
which means ‘If I fall along the way, grab the monument to be amazed with the fanastic to celebrate Betico Croes. Have a look at the
flag and continue the struggle’. panorama. The Lighthouse will be open from specials of restaurants and casino’s in the Aru-
9am to 7pm. ba Today newspaper and plan your day. This
Active man weekend you are welcome to mingle with the
The father of the Aruban nation, as he is called History Museum of Aruba locals and learn the culture of the people.q
often, was an active man in Caribbean organi- The History Museum of Aruba will open her gates
zations while he studied in the Netherlands. Beti- on this special day between noon and 4pm. A
co was a social man, participated in sports and guide is available to show you around and tell
the social and cultural community. He worked you everything about the building and history.
as a teacher and instituted the official seal, There is a kids corner and the possibility to have
flag and hymn for the island. During the Round some drinks and snacks.
table Conference of 1981, he was responsible
for formally setting the date for Aruba’s inde- Live band Rincon Boyz
pendency. Betico also became leader of the Celebrate and commemorate Betico Croes
political party Movimiento Electoral di Pueblo with a special performance by Rincon Boyz.
(MEP), now the main party that forms the cur-
rent government that was elected in Septem-
ber 2017. There were two stages in which the
Independence was formed: the first one was
set for 1986, the second was set for ten years