Page 11 - aruba-today-20240911

a11
local Wednesday 11 september 2024
Inauguration of Parliament: a colorful celebration with little substance

mond Kamperveen, a mem- Aruban voters are called to
ber of the junior party in the elect a new Parliament in
demissionary coalition, Raiz. December, and the winner
of that election will be asked
ORANJESTAD – While it was focused on the plans of the The Governor’s speech, The current Parliament will sit by the Governor to form a
initially reported that the Government of Aruba for the which was shorter than usual, for only three months before new government.q
inauguration ceremony for following year. The Governor also lacked substance, given
the new Parliamentary Year of Aruba, His Excellency Mr. that it could not outline the
would not go through as Alfonso Boekhoudt gives a plan for the Government of
planned following the res- speech in which he reviews Aruba for the coming year.
ignation of the Government the achievements of the past The event did display the
of Aruba – and thus the dis- year and outlines the plans usual pageantry, with a pa-
solution of Parliament – the for the coming year. This year rade and the usual elegant
ceremony took place yes- however, after the coalition and colorful fashion worn by
terday with participation of government collapsed due Aruba’s political elite.
members of Parliament, the to an internal dispute be-
demissionary government, tween the coalition partners It did have a new twist, how-
and the Governor of Aruba. on Monday, the Governor’s ever: for the first time, the
speech was focused on the presidency of Parliament
Traditionally, the ceremony upcoming elections, sched- was not held by a member
for the inauguration of the uled for December 6. of the traditional MEP or AVP
new Parliamentary Year is parties; rather, it went to Ray-

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolas

SAN NICOLAS— At Just 11 Flow of history and 19th-century barber-
miles southeast from Oran- if you are looking for his- shop, just to name a few of
jestad you will enter the city tory San Nicolas has it. Here the items of old-time Aruba
San Nicolas, also known as you will find three amazing that has been preserved. A
Sunrise City or Chocolate museums, The Museum of collection of artifacts and
City. A city that is rich in Industry, the Community other objects of artistic, cul-
authentic culture and is- Museum and the Carnival tural, historical, or scientific
land charm. San Nicolas is Euphoria, all within walking importance can be found
Aruba’s second largest city distance from one another. here for the purpose of edu-
and was once a bustling The Museum of Industry is cation or enjoyment.
company town dominated situated in the Water Tower Carnival Euphoria is show- able. As you walk around, A little bit of everything can
by the oil industry since the in San Nicolas and narrates casing Aruba’s Carnival. the streets are silent but be found in the main street.
early 1930’s. Aruba's industrial history See how are Carnival has the walls are loud, filled Stores selling shoes, cloth-
which began in the 19th developed over the past with bright, colorful murals ing, jewelry you name it.
Over the course of four de- century. Here you will learn 65 years. painted by a collection Arts & crafts by Cosecha
cades, its demographics about gold, aloe, phos- of artists from around the store & Creative Center, a
had changed immensely phate, oil and the tourism The new San Nicolas world. Thanks to the efforts design store in which you
due to a stream of Afro-Ca- industries which made San In the shadow of the refin- of various art organizations can immerse yourself in dis-
ribbean and South Ameri- Nicolas once a bustling ery, an art capital is quietly in Aruba, such as Art Rules covering genuine and lo-
can workers who came business center. Experience beginning to grow. This is Aruba and Aruba Art Fair, cally made arts and crafts
to fill the jobs in the oil re- the touching stories of those the new San Nicolas, a San Nicolas has had quite which reflect the diversifica-
finery between the 1920’s who were part of this history. place that is starting to be- the aesthetic makeover tion of the Aruban craft heri-
until the 1960’s. To this day Nicolaas Store built in 1940 come a magnet for all that with regards to vibrant tage and the artistic supply
traces of the multicultural and renovated in 2014 is the is young, cool and hip in street art. Each year more of artisans. Don’t miss out
influences in culinary offer- home of the Community Aruba. Indeed, San Nicolas and more stunning murals on trying the exquisite food
ings and customs, housing Museum. The collection is has all of the ingredients of are replacing broken down offered by the cafes and
and population are clearly remarkable and spans mil- an emerging cultural hub buildings with colorful art restaurants or just enjoy a
visible in San Nicolas - more lennia. Ancient fossils stand — varied history, interesting pieces that keep brighten- peaceful walk admiring
than anywhere else on the next to tableaus of an au- architecture, and, perhaps ing up SunriseCity. the murals, mosaic benches
island. thentically recreated colo- most importantly, an urban and all the history San Nico-
nial kitchen and bedroom layout that makes it walk- Must See, Do, Buy & Eat las has to offer.q