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LOCAL Wednesday 8 May 2024

Palm Beach Tower to be designed by artist Paul Wong

In October last year, the Minister of Previously, there was the flag of Aruba,
Tourism, Dangui Oduber, announced and tourists used it to take pictures
the search for local artists to par- and post them on social media, which
ticipate in the Palm Beach Tower is also why they called on local artists
Art Project. On April 29th, it was an- to participate in the request for pro-
nounced regarding the conceptual posal (RFP) so that they could get an
design that will be in the hands of idea or thoughts on what should be
artist Paul Wong. put in the tower to become a tourist
attraction in the Palm Beach area.
At that time, the minister informed
that the first phase had already been Minister Oduber announced that since
completed, where they worked on October, they have been posting
the platform used by both locals and on their social media this invitation
tourists from previous years, and in called "Palm Beach Tower Art Proj-
the last months of the past year, it ect," aimed at local artists who want
was seen that the first phase of the to be part of it. "This is a beautiful
platform renovation was completed. project to showcase not only in our
local market but also to our tourists,
According to Oduber, the second and that's why we're extending the
phase involved inviting local artists invitation to start participating for 10 that "after we have fixed the plat- be posted."
to use their creativity and present days, and then when we receive form at Palm Beach, the next phase
ideas on what could be placed in the those who want to participate, we will be a design for the tower. This is On social networks, Minister Oduber's
white tower to begin the search for will evaluate them with a commis- the conceptual design by local artist publication received quite a reac-
"what design the community wants sion, and finally, in approximately a Paul Wong to be completed with it. tion, where both locals and tourists
to see or what design we need to month, the official work can begin." This is the front part; the back part will surely make this platform a new
implement." Now, finally, the minister informed also has a conceptual one that will point of attraction. q

Visit the historic museum at Fort Zoutman!

ally referring to two sepa- characters roaming the renovation in 1964, turning
rate buildings that, over the Caribbean Sea. Unlike the the site into the Historic Mu-
years, have been merged: Willem III Toren, Fort Zout- seum it currently is.
the fort and the tower. man had a more tumul- Despite its small size, The
That’s right, the iconic 5-sto- tuous past, including the Historic Museum guards a
ry, squared tower was not on-and-off reception of rich depository of the com-
part of the original structure unwanted members of the mercial, military and social
of the fort, and is actually English military several times history of Oranjestad, offer-
called “Willem III Toren”. (The Netherlands was at ing a glance into how the
Constructed in 1867, this constant war with England social culture of the town
tower was named after the back in the colonial era). came to be. If you are in-
then-reigning king of The Over the years, both the terested in history and want
Netherlands, Willem III. Wil- fort and the tower had to learn more about Aruba,
lem III Toren was originally functioned as different then Fort Zoutman should
a light tower, but after a re- government center points, definitely be included into
(Oranjestad)—Located in site has been used (or left quest from Lieutenant Gov- including a tax and stamps your itinerary.
the middle of downtown unused) in many ways and ernor Jan Helenus in 1866, it office. For some time these The museum is open Mon-
Oranjestad, situated right have survived eras of war also became a bell tower. two buildings also housed day to Friday from 9am-
next to the government and attempted disman- The fort itself was originally a police precinct and jail, 6pm, and Saturday from
building “Cocolishi”, is one tling. constructed to protect and even experienced 10am-2pm.q
of the oldest buildings of the commerce bay of abandonment until the Cul-
Aruba: Fort Zoutman. First When anyone refers to Fort Paardenbaai from pirates tural Center Aruba Founda- Source: The Old Fort of Aruba
constructed in 1796, this Zoutman, they are actu- and other disreputable tion (CCA) petitioned for its by Jan Hartog.