Page 9 - AHATA

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LOCAL Wednesday 27 november 2024
Create museum memories

ORANJESTAD — Museums are an integral part of Industry is part of Aruba Museum Foundation These historical buildings were formerly the
conserving and honoring cultures, and Aruba is (Fundacion Museo Aruban), which is a founda- property of the Ecury family. The “Ecury Com-
no exception. Our Island has a wide selection tion set to maintain, preserve, and protect the plex”, is a cluster of single and two-story historic
of various museums for our locals and visitors Aruban cultural sector, history, and nature. The buildings, mainly Dutch colonial architecture
to see. Take this opportunity to learn about our museum of Industry is open daily from 9 am till from the late 19th and 20th century on a plot of
island and experience a different day beyond 6 pm. approximately 1.700 m2.
the beach. Let us introduce to you these muse- For more information, check out their Facebook
ums. page Museum of Industry Aruba. In 1997, the Aruban Government bought the
complex for the National Archaeological Mu-
Museum of Industry Aruba Archaeological Museum of Aruba seum project. In 2004, a financial agreement
was signed with the European Development
Fund and in 2006, restoration and construction
work began on the monumental buildings and
the soon-to-be exhibition space. In December
2007, the key to the complex was delivered and
the museum’s employees moved to the new lo-
cation. The final design for the exhibit was com-
pleted in November 2007 and the permanent
exhibit, financed by the Aruban Government
and the Union of Cultural Organizations (UN-
OCA), opened in July 2009.

At the new location, the National Archaeologi-
cal Museum Aruba disposes of approximately
The Museum of Industry is located in San Nico- The Archaeological Museum of Aruba is lo- 500 m2 for its permanent exhibit. This exhibit
las—better known as the art capital of Aruba. cated at Schelpstraat 42 in downtown Oran- conveys information on the origin and culture
This museum exhibits the industrial history of jestad. The renovated historic Ecury complex of the first inhabitants of the island through ar-
gold, aloe, phosphate, oil and tourism through in the area has been transformed from a fam- chaeological objects and modern exhibition
elaborated displays and multimedia installa- ily home to a modern museum that preserves techniques. The new permanent exhibit gives
tions. Aruba’s Amerindian cultural heritage. This 21st the visitor an insight into the cultures that in-
The Museum of Industry is situated in the Wa- century museum is especially designed to pre- habited the island in Pre-Historical and Early His-
ter Tower in San Nicolas and narrates Aruba's serve valuable artifacts dating back to the Pre- torical times. The museum also hosts attractive
industrial history, which began in the 19th cen- Ceramic period of 2500 BC. public programs, including lectures, education-
tury. The Water Tower was built in 1939 and con- In the late 1980’s, AMA identified its need for al projects, temporary exhibits and workshops.
sists of three sections: the substructure, the high- an adequate housing for its collection and ac-
rising vertical shaft, and the tank at the top. The tivities. After studying various options, a project The museum is open daily from 9:30 am till 4:30
Water Tower was purchased by the Monuments proposal was drawn up, including the acqui- pm. For more information check out the Face-
Fund in 2003 so it can be restored and preserved sition and restoration of historical buildings in book page Museo Arqueologico Nacional
as one of Aruba's monuments. The Museum of downtown Oranjestad. Aruba.q

A quick snack for the road: Learn how to make the Aruban Pastechi!

(Oranjestad)—If you ever been using or on a clean surface with
to Aruba before, you probably some flour lightly dusted until its
heard of (and even tried) the Aru- surface is smooth. You'll know your
ban Pastechi. Beloved by young dough is ready when it doesn’t
and old, this tasty treat is a staple stick to your hands or the surface
for party snacks, a quick lunch or on which you’re kneading it. Let
even breakfast! your dough rest covered for 15-20
minutes.
Here’s how to make the Pastechi
dough. After resting, divide your dough
into approximately 100 gram balls
Ingredients: and roll it flat with a rolling pin. The
4 cups of wheat flour thickness of the pastechi depends
1 tbsp baking powder (if using self- on your taste, but the average thin-
rising flour, omit baking powder) ness would be around ¼ inch or so.
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar Filling for the pastechis varies ac-
0.5 cup of melted butter cording to your taste. The easiest
1 cup water and most common filling you’ll find
1 egg in Aruba is a simple cheese filling.
For this, we usually use shredded is ready for the fryer! Here in Aruba we enjoy pastechi at
Directions: Gouda, but feel free to use any any time of the day, but it has be-
Sift your flour into a bowl and add cheese that melts well when frying If you want to store some pastechis come almost tradition to eat paste-
all the dry ingredients before giving the pastry. for later use, you can freeze them. chis for breakfast on the way to
it a quick mix. Next add the butter, A good tip is to place a piece work. Many roadside snack trucks
water and egg and mix until thor- Place the filling on your rolled out of wax paper in between each sell pastechi from early morning
oughly combined. At this point, piece of dough, fold it in half and pastechi if you are to store them to noon, and offer a variety of fill-
your dough will start to get sticky; pinch the sides shut with a fork. If on top of one another. This way the ings like cheese; ham and cheese;
time for an arm workout. Knead you have a folding tool, feel free to pastechis don’t stick to each other ground beef and pulled chicken to
your dough into the bowl you are use it for this process. Your pastechi when defrosting. name a few.q