Page 12 - AHATA

Saturday 1 March 2025 locAl
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Meet our Aruban trailblazers:
Padu Lampe

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

Another Treasure of Aruba’s Beaches: Sea Glass!

can find these beautiful and into the ocean, the glass is tentially ruined these beau- our deserted beaches on
colorful pieces on the north broken up into shards and is tiful beaches. But thanks to the north side of the island.
shore beaches of Aruba. tumbled around in the wa- natural processes, the ocean Make it a fun family day!
ter, where sand and other transformed the trash into Even if we didn’t mean to
Especially on the strip on rocks act like sandpaper to the sea glass. pollute the Beaches how we
NOORD - It is hard to imag- white sand between the smooth out its rough edges. Each colored gem on the did, it is inspiring to see just
ine this happening today, but famous Natural Bridge” and Sometimes as the sea glass beach has its own story. how the earth can correct
years ago people dumped the huge red anchor close is passed through fire, it be- our mistakes.
all kinds of refuse straight to “Grapefield” beach you comes fire glass, the rarest of The ruby red glass stones
into the ocean, including will be able to find your own sea glass with certain inclu- are typically from old car Funny, how trash can
old cars, and their household pieces of sea glass. The sea sions, just like precious gems. tail-lights. change into treasures!
garbage, which of course in- glass that was created is the For years, the water beat
cluded lots of glass. Over the product of a very long and against the different kinds of Then, the sapphire rocks Everybody knows that you
next 30 years the pounding interesting process. It can trash being dumped. Glass, are the remnants of broken are not allowed to take local
waves cleaned the beach, take anywhere from 10 to household appliances and apothecary bottles. The most shells home, but the people
by breaking down every- 30 years to make sea glass. even motor parts were dis- common and the easiest to working at the airport have
thing but glass and pottery. The name for any piece of carded on the beach. The find are the brown (Amstel & no problem you taking sea
The pounding waves washed glass that finds its way to the waves and weather condi- Polar beer), green (Heineken glass home. A few of those
the trash up and down, back ocean and tumbles around tions wore down the over- & Balashi beer) and clear pieces make great souve-
and forth. Tons of polished, in the water long enough is whelming amount of gar- glass which are the soft much nirs. You can place them in
broken glass pieces were “Sea glass. bage in the water, creating loved “soft drink” bottles. a wine glass or large bottle
created by the pounding millions of beautiful smooth for decoration and every
surf. These smoothened, The colorful pieces of glass rocks. If you like to see the sea glass time you look at it a smile
colored glass particles then are being used for decora- It’s hard to believe the short- for yourself, and be in awe of will light up your face thinking
settled along the sea shore in tion, handcrafts and jewelry! sighted mistakes we were the power of nature, rent a back of your unforgettable
millions, and that is why you Once glass makes its way making that could have po- car or jeep and go explore Aruba vacation! q