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local Tuesday 24 January 2023
National Archaeological Museum of Aruba invites you to

celebrate Dia di Betico and learn about our cultural heritage!

ORANJESTAD – MANA, the
National Archaeological
Museum of Aruba invites
everyone to visit on Dia di
Betico, January 25 between
10am to 2pm. Permanent
exhibition rooms are open
to the public. Archaeolo-
gist Raymundo Dijkhoff will
be giving a presentation
on “Antique Artifacts of
Oranjestad” and there will
be creative activities for
children in a family atmo-
sphere. Entry, presentation
and activities for children tad”, thus a very interesting
are free! presentation with a differ-
ent view of Oranjestad.
At 11am, archaeologist Di-
jkhoff will give a presenta- Before and after the pre-
tion focusing on findings in sentation there will be an
2010, where Plaza Daniel educational short movie
Leo is situated and where called “Un les pa Maiky” (in
the old house of the Gov- Papiamento) by Stichting
ernor used to be located. Monumentenfonds Aruba
This was the first time that for the children in the audi-
there were archaeological torium. In the garden of the
findings in the city center. museum, kids can make
He will also be giving infor- crafts and receive an “in- Schelpstraat 42, in the
mation regarding archae- period of the indians and dian stamp” while parents Everyone is invited to enjoy Ecury complex consist-
ological findings done af- the European period of the relax and enjoy a drink. In these free experiences at ing of monumental and
terwards in Havenstraat, past 300 years. He will elab- the permanent exhibition MANA with the opportuni- modern buildings. Due to
Royal Plaza, Arubus, Co- orate of the uses of the city room, people can appre- ty to learn something new maintenance and restora-
colishi and Fort Zoutman. center of Oranjestad in pre- ciate artworks by Osaira and interesting about our tion works being carried
These findings cover a span history and the period after Muyale and an old mirror cultural heritage. out, entrance is currently
of over a thousand years of 1700, including the name that used to belong to the through the glass building
history of Aruba, from the of “Playa” and “Oranjes- Ecury family. MANA is situated in on the side. q

We celebrate our National Hero

Betico Croes

ORANJESTAD – The island country within the kingdom told his people: “Si mi cay
of Aruba has a special of the Netherlands, sepa- na caminda, gara e ban-
day coming up Tomorrow, rate from the other islands dera y sigui cu e lucha”
January 25 . The island will of the Antilles. which means “If I fall along
th
explode with lots of festivi- the way, grab the flag and
ties that honor the late pro- Aruba was allowed to func- continue the struggle.”
autonomy political leader tion as a commonwealth
Gilberto Francois (Betico) within the Dutch Kingdom Active man
Croes. He helped the island and Betico is honored for Betico was born on Janu-
attain the Status Aparte – this outcome since 1989 ary 25, 1938. Croes had four Caribbean organizations that forms the current gov-
the status of autonomous by celebrating the Dia di children: two sons—Glen- while he studied in the ernment that was elected
Betico. The official holiday bert Croes and Gilberto Ju- Netherlands. Betico was a in September 2021. There
normally features perfor- nior Croes and two daugh- social man, participated were two stages in which
mances, sporting events ters— Glendeline Croes in sports and the social the Independence was
and games throughout the and Guisette Croes. Both of and cultural community. formed: the first one was
island. Croes’ sons served as Min- He worked as a teacher set for 1986, the second
isters and Glenbert is cur- and instituted the official was set for ten years later
Croes himself was not able rently in office as Minister of seal, flag and hymn for the and enhanced the inde-
to enjoy the results of his Labor. Betico was also the island. During the Round pendence from the Neth-
ongoing struggle; he was uncle of Aruba’s current table Conference of 1981, erlands. However, it never
involved in an accident Prime Minister, Mrs. Evelyn he was responsible for for- came to a total indepen-
on December 31, 1985, Wever-Croes. mally setting the date for dence of Aruba in 1996; it
and went into a coma. Aruba’s independency. was dropped in 1990. The
He passed away on No- The father of the Aruban Betico also became leader Status Aparte within the
vember 26, 1986. For the nation or the Liberator (Lib- of the political party Mov- Kingdom of the Nether-
Aruban people, his words ertador) as he is called of- imiento Electoral di Pueblo lands was to be a perma-
will never be forgotten. He ten, was an active man in (MEP), now the main party nent one.q