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LOCAL Thursday 6 February 2025

Visit the KINANIK Art Exhibition by local

artist Steve Francees

Steve is a local artist and this will be his 14th exhibition, which will take place at the Na-
tional Library (Bibliotheca Nacional Aruba) at Georgemadurostraat #13 in Oranjestad.

This exhibition will cover how the first inhabitants lived here in Aruba and also how they
communicated between the islands and the main land (South America). The 1600s was
when Aruba was under the ruler of Spain, and then the Dutch in the 1700s till 1950. This
exhibition will show a timeline of the natives inhabitation on Aruba, and from an artist’s
point of view. Lots of pre historic paintings and sculptures will be included, where all at-
tendees will learn about our history done by our local artist.
Steve Francees start doing paintings and sculptures at a very young age and when
his family moved to Spain, his father took him to Escorial Museum in Madrid where his
passion for art grew still to this day. The exhibition will be open from February 7th to the
21st and entrance is free. If you are in Aruba this week you can also attend the opening
today, February 6th at 6pm at the National Library in Oranjestad.
Opening hours from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday. This will be an amazing opportunity
to learn more about our island and also have a talk with one of Aruba´s artist.q

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national park takes you on a memorable on the beach: a majestic
Arikok comprises almost 18 journey of the islands past Leatherback (Dermochelys
% of the island. Its rugged offering unique geological, coriacea) heads back to sea
terrain, desert-like hills filled cultural and historical sites. after laying her eggs, while
with tall cacti, breathtaking These can all be enjoyed another nest laid 2 months
coastline and protected lo- and explored either on your ago by the same female
cal flora and fauna welcome own or during guided tours. A hatches. A very rare occur- as they are known in Papia- there is a discussion going
you to be explored. There is wide variety of educational rence of daytime nesting mento. This unusual looking on about the effect certain
numerous wildlife to discover and informative programs and hatching. Sea turtles bird forages in shallow mud- activities have on our na-
like for example the sea tur- and fun activities is available. prefer nesting in the cool and dy water while sweeping its ture, for example the ATV
tle who lays his eggs on the Did you know that four of dark hours of the night. And flattened bill from side to side vehicles cause a lot of dust,
park’s beaches. There are the in total seven species hatchlings usually wait for the to catch small fish, crustae- noise and leave tire tracks.
more places on the island of sea turtle lay their eggs cue of cooling surface sand ceans and other aquatic Animals live in these areas
that are a preserved area on Aruba's beaches? In the before emerging. invertebrates. The Roseate where the vehicles run, of-
like the Bubali Plas which is national park, a Least Tern Spoonbill remains an un- ten with high speed and with
a bird sanctuary. (Sternula antillarum) keeps a Bubali Magic common sight as they are detrimental consequences
strict eye on a very special This beautiful close-up image vulnerable to degradation of to flora and fauna. Motor-
The national park Arikok event taking place below of the pink bird is courtesy feeding and nesting habitats ized vehicles are forbidden
of Michiel Oversteegen of (Wetlands). (Source: arikok to drive on the sand dunes
the Aruba Birdlife Conserva- national park) in the Northern part of the
tion. This important founda- island and all beaches in
tion showcases and builds The aforementioned is just Aruba are forbidden for any
awareness of Aruba’s birds a part of what Aruba’s na- motorized vehicle. Treasure
and other native flora and ture has to offer. We cannot our island to enjoy it like you
fauna. You may have seen a stress enough to go, see for do: as a tropical and natural
‘pink cloud’ lately at the Bub- yourself. The island has the paradise. We truly appreci-
ali or Spanish Lagoon Wet- most beautiful beaches but ate it!
lands areas? It’s most likely to it is also worthwhile to go be-
be Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia yond this and get an idea Photo credits: Aruba Conser-
ajaja) or ‘Chucharon Cora’ of our entire island. Lately vation Foundation