Page 15 - AHATA

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LOCAL Friday 5 august 2022
“My dream became a reality”
Faritah Luidens presented her theatre play ‘Friends Forever’

Sofia’s mother’s last wish her dream, her first play, consider to be phenom- of emotions, like anger and plays receive a lot of sup-
was for her ashes to be ‘Friends Forever’, is ready enal actors and that is the nostalgia, but humor will port from the local com-
spread in the country to be presented in Septem- cast that we have. It is a prevail during this play. munity, and UNOCA be-
where she was born. To- ber. completely different play, lieves that the local plays,
gether with her four friends, it was everything and that’s Semeleer says that in the Aruba’s artists, also have
Sofia decides to fulfill her Luidens explained during why I say it’s something moments where he’s not talent to present on an in-
mother’s wishes, and sets a press conference that it completely different. It’s acting, he can sit and en- ternational level, and this
out on a trip to Colombia. took her a year to write this about time to support our joy the fantastic acting of is one the reasons why UN-
The trip that starts out pleas- play. She chose the title own people, and we have the protagonists. “For me OCA decided to financially
ant doesn’t go as planned. ‘Friends Forever’ because phenomenal actors on this as an artist, it’s an honor to support Luidens’ project.
The friends find themselves she belongs to a group of island”, she says. take part in this play. I am
confronted with various friends that gave her the sure the public will enjoy UNOCA believes in devel-
challenges that test their idea. She chose Colom- Cast member Edjean and feel inspired and moti- oping art, culture, and for
friendship and their cour- bia, because she travels to Semeleer says that the ex- vated to see that there are theatre we see that in re-
age. this country regularly, and perience was completely initiatives taken to promote cent years it has not been
some of the things she went different for him and took theatre on our island.” given the value it deserves,
This Papiamento play, titled through here and there be- him way out of his comfort is not receiving the com-
‘Amiganan pa Semper’ came the experiences she zone. “The first times it was Rayenne Hernandez, di- mercial support, and we
(Friends Forever), was writ- combined to add into the very uncomfortable to do rector of UNOCA – cultural a decided, together with
ten, produced and direct- play. it, but what I saw the pro- fund that cofinances Art & other partners, to support
ed by Faritah Luidens. Lu- tagonists displaying, I found Cultural Projects in Aruba – this project to see our own
idens is known in the world Luidens herself is directing fantastic. The play itself, the was also present during the local talents also on the
of art and theatre in Aruba and producing the play, way it’s put together, you press conference. For UN- stage and for the commu-
as a singer, comedian, ac- and as an actress, she can relate to a lot of those OCA, she mentioned they nity of Aruba to enjoy.
tress and writer, with an ar- knows the importance of a situations”, he says. are very proud to present
tistic career since she was good cast. A cast that has and take part in such a The play ‘Friends Forever’
barely 17 years old. been practicing and pre- Semeleer commented that project. will present on the 2nd and
paring the play for around ‘Friends Forever’ is a the- 3rd of September at Cas di
Luidens began singing and a year, and from the begin- atre play in which humor Hernandez emphasized Cultura. The play is in the
then went into the world of ning have been dedicated stands out a lot and the that often international Papiamento language.
theatre. Many people on to it. The cast consists of public will experience a lot presentations or theatre
the island know Luidens as Nilka Franka, Lilian Pieters,
the humorous character, Amy Richards, Faridi Daou,
‘Tica Basha Abao’, but her Meredith Rafael, Edjean LIKE US ON
dream was also to write Semeleer, Israel Luidens
theatre plays. Not only with and Jason Croes.
the goal of promoting the-
atre, but also to invite oth- “I couldn’t go to sleep with-
ers to follow their dreams out thinking this has to hap-
and contribute to art and pen, and I said I wanted
culture on Aruba. After two the créme de la créme. I Facebook.com/arubatoday/
years dedicating herself to started looking for those I