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Friday 13 September 2024 locAl
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Meet our Aruban trailblazers:

Padu Lampe

(Oranjestad)—This week we remem- able to witness first-hand, was the
ber one of our most beloved Aruban first radio broadcast on the island
giant, Juan Chabaya Lampe—better on March 20th, 1954. Here, he was
known as Padu Lampe or Padu del accompanied by Antillean guitarist
Caribe. As one of the most important Julian Coco and Hubert “Loi” Booi.
and renowned artists in the Aruban In the art world, Padu was also a
cultural sphere, Padu’s long career known painter. During his youth,
led him to be honored today as “the he made several painting using his
father of culture.” unique style. In 1939, he participated
in an art exhibit in New York, where
On April 26th, 1920, Juan Chabaya he won a bronze medal for his paint-
Lampe “Padu Lampe/Padu del Ca- ing “Typical View of Aruba.”
ribe” was born in Nassaustraat, Oran-
jestad. He grew up in a happy musi- Padu remained a popular artist
cal environment, and it is because within the Dutch Antilles and the
of this that he developed a love for Caribbean as a pianist, singer, au-
music. Starting from the age of 12, he thor and painter. Padu Lampe was a
was agile in the clarinet, mandolin local artist who became renowned
and cuatro. Henry Lampe, his father, in Venezuela, Colombia, The U.S. and
was also a well-known pianist and a personal style and full of surprises. The Netherlands too. In the 1950s, he
musician. Secondly, though the composer was sold no less than 50 thousand cop-
not too familiar with music theory, he ies of his long-playing albums (LPs).
In a publication of the informative showed innovations in his composi- Padu Lampe was a multifaceted Aruban culture around the world.
seminar, “Observer”, from august 1st, tions. Lastly, Padu was a promoter artist, inspired by his interest in para- His legacy will remain ingrained in
1962, Padu’s many merits and friend- of Creole music around the world. psychology and supernatural phe- the Aruban cultural history, and he
ly personality stood out. It was said One of the most important moments nomenon. He wrote three books in will be known forever as one of the
that he was an excellent pianist with in Aruban history, in which he was Papiamento on the subject in 1986, most influential trailblazers of our
which was published by the Aruban community.
National Printing Press with sponsor-
ship provided by the Prince Bernhard Padu will always be in Aruba’s heart,
Funds Netherlands Antilles. because he had composed vari-
ous special songs dedicated to the
Besides that, Padu passed his exam mothers of the island; his song “Son-
on “Society to Advanced Ethical risa di un baby” (“A baby’s Smile”)
Hypnosis” in 1964 in New Jersey. He has been written in three different
received a certificate as a hypno- languages. Padu also wrote our na-
technician, which gave him the au- tional anthem “Aruba Dushi Tera”,
thority to practice hypnosis in some along with Mr. Rufo Wever. This song
states. was approved by the government of
Aruba and was named the official
Over the course of his career, he re- anthem of the island in 1976.
ceived many accolades and awards
in Aruba, Curacao, Venezuela and Other songs that have been con-
the Netherlands. sidered as being almost a second
anthem for Arubans is the special
Padu del Caribe passed away on composition he wrote for his wife
November 29th, 2019, at the age Daisy Croes called “Abo so”. Daisy
of 99 years old. Padu brought the later passed away in 1994. q

Visit the natural bridges of Aruba!

this bridge has been a tourist at- sured 30 meters in length and 7
traction for many years. meters in height, making it the big-
gest natural bridge in the Caribbe-
The bridge was formed during thou- an at the time. For many years, this
sands of years, cut and crafted by site was also a frequently visited
the wild waves that crash into the beach, as the bridge had a small
coral stone walls of the coast. Be- opening through which the water
fore its collapse, this bridge mea- would flow into the tiny beach.
Natural Bridge before collapsing Baby Nautal Bridge
Unfortunately in 2005, the bridge
(Oranjestad)—After you’ve visited collapsed, and the little beach nir shop on the left of the bridge
the Alto Vista Church, the Bushiri- dried up. Despite this, this site re- entrance.
bana Gold Mill Ruins and the mini mained a tourist attraction, with
natural pool that is located right many visitors walking along the While the natural bridge no longer
next to it, you’re next up around coral cliffs of the bridge to see the is functional, there is now a small-
the northern coast line must be the spectacular view of the northern er natural bridge very close. This
Natural Bridge. Once the largest coastline and the Caribbean Sea. bridge is often called the “Baby
natural bridge in the Caribbean, Current state of the Natural Bridge Visitors can also still visit the souve- Bridge” or “Daughter Bridge”.