Page 11 - AHATA

Tuesday 17 June 2025 locAl
A10

Meet our Aruban trailblazers:

Padu Lampe

also a known painter. During
his youth, he made several
painting using his unique
style. In 1939, he participat-
ed in an art exhibit in New
York, where he won a bronze
medal for his painting “Typi-
cal View of Aruba.”

Padu remained a popular
artist within the Dutch Antil-
(Oranjestad)—This week we pianist and musician. les and the Caribbean as a
remember one of our most In a publication of the infor- pianist, singer, author and
beloved Aruban giant, Juan mative seminar, “Observer”, painter. Padu Lampe was
Chabaya Lampe—better from august 1st, 1962, Padu’s a local artist who became
known as Padu Lampe or many merits and friendly per- renowned in Venezuela, in 1964 in New Jersey. He Padu will always be in Aruba’s
Padu del Caribe. As one of sonality stood out. It was said Colombia, The U.S. and The received a certificate as heart, because he had com-
the most important and re- that he was an excellent pia- Netherlands too. In the 1950s, a hypnotechnician, which posed various special songs
nowned artists in the Aruban nist with a personal style and he sold no less than 50 thou- gave him the authority to dedicated to the mothers of
cultural sphere, Padu’s long full of surprises. Secondly, sand copies of his long-play- practice hypnosis in some the island; his song “Sonrisa di
career led him to be hon- though the composer was ing albums (LPs). states. un baby” (“A baby’s Smile”)
ored today as “the father of not too familiar with music Padu Lampe was a multifac- Over the course of his career, has been written in three dif-
culture.” theory, he showed innova- eted artist, inspired by his in- he received many acco- ferent languages. Padu also
tions in his compositions. terest in parapsychology and lades and awards in Aruba, wrote our national anthem
On April 26th, 1920, Juan Lastly, Padu was a promoter supernatural phenomenon. Curacao, Venezuela and “Aruba Dushi Tera”, along
Chabaya Lampe “Padu of Creole music around the He wrote three books in Pa- the Netherlands. with Mr. Rufo Wever. This
Lampe/Padu del Caribe” world. piamento on the subject in Padu del Caribe passed song was approved by the
was born in Nassaustraat, One of the most important 1986, which was published away on November 29th, government of Aruba and
Oranjestad. He grew up in moments in Aruban history, in by the Aruban National 2019, at the age of 99 years was named the official an-
a happy musical environ- which he was able to witness Printing Press with sponsor- old. Padu brought the Aru- them of the island in 1976.
ment, and it is because of first-hand, was the first radio ship provided by the Prince ban culture around the Other songs that have been
this that he developed a love broadcast on the island on Bernhard Funds Netherlands world. His legacy will remain considered as being almost a
for music. Starting from the March 20th, 1954. Here, he Antilles. ingrained in the Aruban cul- second anthem for Arubans
age of 12, he was agile in was accompanied by An- tural history, and he will be is the special composition he
the clarinet, mandolin and tillean guitarist Julian Coco Besides that, Padu passed known forever as one of the wrote for his wife Daisy Croes
cuatro. Henry Lampe, his fa- and Hubert “Loi” Booi. his exam on “Society to Ad- most influential trailblazers of called “Abo so”. Daisy later
ther, was also a well-known In the art world, Padu was vanced Ethical Hypnosis” our community. passed away in 1994.q

Another Treasure of Aruba’s Beaches: Sea Glass!

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