Page 14 - AT

A14 LOCAL
Thursday 7 March 2019

Choose what you Love to Study

Continued from Page 13 also export plays or musicals, there-
fore exporting our island’s cultural
image to our neighboring islands
“In my case, I had enough input to Curaçao and Bonaire. While we
form my creative skills and cultural are at it and since on Aruba we
knowledge. What I mostly lacked can all speak four languages, why
regarding theatre, that I eventually not America, Europe and South
got here in The Netherlands, is the America. “But again, this can only
opportunity to witness professional be done once we start to appreci-
plays on a regular basis”. Nonethe- ate the arts for what they are and
less, when I was growing up, there really seeing the potential that the
were simply not enough plays be- arts and the Cultural and Creative
ing showed on the island to further Industry has within in if given the
learn from them. Something that I time, care and resources needed.
fear is still not happening. And this begins in my perspective
within education, it’s the future
Developing a Cultural and Cre- generation that we need stimulate mostly speak out of a theatrical give drama to their pupils in the
ative Industry on Aruba? in doing this”. and educational perspective, but future”. Next to this, Daylan also
Daylan believes there are lots of I also know that within the other art wishes to make theatre plays with
benefits in developing a Cultural Do you see differences in creative disciplines you also learn skills that different groups of people, ama-
and Creative Industry on Aruba. and cultural developments be- can have an important contribu- teur children and amateur adults,
It is merely about creating a CCI, tween The Netherlands and Aruba? tion for your creative and general but also people who already have
because in his eyes the industry “There are definitely differences development. I also believe that experience in acting. Daylan can
is already there, it’s simply a mat- between the creative and cultur- it is important to create a cultural also see himself giving workshops
ter of focusing on the parts of the al developments between Aruba awareness of ourselves and other to any group of people, business,
industry that need more develop- and The Netherlands, yet I don’t cultures”. This will result in children students, elderly or anyone who is
ment, such as film, television and think that this necessarily means understanding their own culture interested in the theatre and act-
of course theatre. “However, I must that one is better than the other”. better and that from others. With ing.
say that I believe that before we Daylan feels if we are to compare this, we can learn to love and re-
even begin to give form to these these two countries with each spect both for what they are and What tips can you give Aruban stu-
areas of the Creative Industry we other, it’s important to perceive the role they have in our lives. dents that want to study arts?
must first educate our children and things subjectively. In the Nether- “Don’t let anyone or anything de-
the community of the importance lands, there is ongoing research Do you think creativity is lacking in motivate you or influence you in
of the arts and the importance being conducted on how to stimu- the Aruban education system? thinking that the arts or any profes-
of this Creative Industry”. For ex- late the arts in the education pro- “I don’t believe that creativity is sion in the Creative and Cultural
ample, how a CCI stimulate new grams. On an artistic level, theatre lacking in the Aruban education Industry is of lesser importance
jobs, create more opportunities for groups and cultural organizations system. The creativity is there, it has or that it shouldn’t be taken seri-
many students to return or to go gets funds from the government to always been there, it’s just a mat- ously”. Daylan expressed that at
and study something in the arts in- carry out their projects. However, ter of stimulating this creativity and the end of the day, none of those
dustry without having the risk of not keeping in mind the size of Aruba guiding and bringing out the best of people are going to be the one
returning to Aruba. Also, how a CCI and its cultural history, we can con- it”. Daylan feels that Aruba needs delving the books and putting in
can affect our economy by having clude that the developments that to learn to embrace this creativity the hard hours in the study. If you
more creative thinkers in business- are going on are also important for and optimizing it. This is something really enjoy the arts and if you are
es and marketing to further boost the island. If we think of The Aruba that he feels is currently lacking in really passionate about something
their income by attractive market- Art Fair or Aruba Fashion Week and the education system on Aruba. and not only just in the arts, follow
ing. More importantly, this can also the fact that more school musicals Let’s take children from ages of 4 that instinct and consider making it
have an impact on our tourism by are being made and presented to 6 for example. In kindergarten, your career choice. “Consider this,
not just selling sandy beaches and to the public, “I can surely say you constantly see children play- even when choosing a study that
fancy dining, but also a cultural ex- that there is positive change be- ing rolls and imitating their parents you really love, there will still be cer-
perience and getting to know the ing done within the community. Is or important people in our society tain courses that you will find diffi-
Aruban culture. there room for improvement? Defi- such as the policeman or firefight- cult or that you dislike a bit, imag-
nitely!” ers. Ultimately, what they are learn- ine if it’s a study that you don’t re-
What creative sectors do you feel ing and doing is how to empathize ally want to do. At those times dur-
should be part of the Aruban CCI? Are creative skills and cultural de- with someone by stepping in their ing the study, the only thing that
“I believe that all sectors of the velopment important in a child’s rolls. Knowing this, Daylan suggests will keep you going is that little fire
CCI should be evenly developed upbringing? that this way teachers can tell sto- of passion and love that you have
on Aruba. But seeing my back- During Daylan’s studies in Theatre ries with moral lessons, while the for what you’ve chosen at the start
ground, I firmly think that theatre as in Education he has witnessed how children act out these roles. This is of your journey”.
a whole, such as; plays, musicals, important theatre is for the educa- a simple way to improve drama
performances, TV, and film should tion and upbringing of children. Es- education for toddlers and by do- The Creative Islander congratu-
become a bigger part of the Cul- pecially during their primary school ing so encouraging their creativity, lates Daylan with the success he
tural and Creative Industry on period, the subject “drama” can while learning valuable lessons for has attained thus far and wishes
Aruba”. From a theatrical stand- help children think creatively, un- their future. him all the best with his thesis and
point, Daylan feels that Aruba can derstand their emotions, stimulate graduation. Thank you Daylan for
achieve a lot with theatre. Think of team work and build up their con- What does your future look like? sharing your story with Aruba, es-
for example plays that can edu- fidence to stand in front of a group “After finishing my study, I hope pecially with students who are
cate the Aruban society on worry- and present something. Thus, Day- to go back to Aruba and work at also considering studying arts or
ing topics such as teen pregnancy lan emphasizes that these cre- the IPA where I can train students educators who are searching for
or alcoholism or by giving training ative skills are not only important in who are studying to become pri- more creative ways to educate
courses in theatre to business peo- an educational context, but also mary school teachers. I’d love to our young ones. All the best going
ple, stimulating their creative think- crucial in any function one might give drama classes to them in the forward Daylan! We hope to hear
ing for their jobs. The industry can take in a future job. “Again, I can hope that I can inspire them to more from you in the future. q