Page 13 - ARUBA TODAY

A13
Thursday 6 sepTember 2018

Meet Our New Columnist

ORANJESTAD — Thaïs G. to speak its own language. heritage and innovating
Franken is a Master Student Now, how does this evolve for the future. Aruba is rich
at the University of Maas- as time goes by? Does cul- in culture, history, tangible
tricht in The Netherlands ture mean the same for heritage, intangible heri-
and Graduate School of all groups of people? Is tage and creativity. From
Governance | UNI-MERIT. culture important within a the old traditions that run
Aruba Today met this re- society? Should creativity through traditional folk mu-
markable young lady dur- be encouraged? Can this sic, dance, architecture,
ing an interview for our contribute to a country’s culinary, craft and literacy.
newspaper. Her ambitions, economic development? Aruba knows tremendous
her drive, her passion and cultural expression such as
her happy forthcoming Aruba for years has been the carnival, where cre-
made a big impression and an island focused on gen- ativity is put on blast. As
out of this came the mutu- erating economic growth new generations are be-
al desire to work together. in sectors such as the tour- ing raised, from the old
Aruba Today is more than ism industry and the oil in- traditions, new variants are
happy to announce Thaïs dustry. Seeing the current formed.
as our new columnist. Her times, it has become clear
column Creative Island- that other industries should In these illustrations, we
er will appear every two be explored and consid- can see distinct differ-
weeks on Thursday in Aru- ered. With the need for ences related to tradition
ba. Welcome to the club economic diversification and innovation. The Nico-
Thaïs. in Aruba, in 2016 the gov- las Store, built in 1940 is a potentially impact the eco- tries are developing within
ernment has indicated the tangible heritage site of
Biography – Currently, Thaïs Cultural and Creative In- Aruba that is now owned nomic, cultural and social this industry and how it has
development of the island. impacted the develop-
Franken is a 22-year-old dustry (CCI) as a potential by the Monuments Fund
Aruban student at the Uni- industry within Aruba’s vi- of Aruba. This building now The place where creativity ment of their country. Stay
and culture meets and co-
up to date with the Cre-
versity of Maastricht (UM). sion of developing a knowl- restored functions as the
She is studying a Master edge economy. CCI refers community museum in San exists. Besides focusing on ative Islander, the moment
the Aruban context, we will for all thing culture and cre-
of Science in Public Policy to sectors of organized ac- Nicolas. This building con-
and Human Development tivity whose principal pur- sisted only of the ground explore how other coun- ativity. q
in collaboration with the pose is the production or floor and served as a store
Unites Nations University reproduction, promotion, where they sold books, in-
(UNU). Back home, on the distribution and/or com- struments, newspapers,
beautiful island of Aruba mercialization of goods, gifts and many more. Later
she completed her Bach- services and activities of a the first floor was construct-
elor of Arts in Organization, cultural, creative, artistic or ed and became the house
Governance & Manage- heritage-related nature. where the owner lived with
ment (OGM) at the Uni- its family.
versity of Aruba (UA). She Considering the Sustain-
successfully graduated able Development Goals Another Example is the
and defended her thesis (SDGs) of the United Na- beautiful evolvement of
titled “Placing Culture and tions, Aruba as part of the carnival on the island. In
Creativity at the Heart of Dutch Kingdom signed a the illustrations, it is clear
the Aruban Sustainable treaty to be committed to that there has been drastic
Development” on July 6th the development of these changes from then to now.
2018. Thaïs is very passion- goals. These goals consist This evolvement is due to
ate about topics such as of 17 goals covering devel- many things, but the most
sustainability, innovation, opment areas such as pov- relevant is the develop-
culture and creativity. Next erty, healthcare, quality of ment of creativity and the
to her academic interests, education, gender equal- use of cultural fusion. From
she enjoys reading, writing, ity, clean water and sani- the costumes, the music,
dancing and cooking. tation, clean energy, eco- the road pieces, the head-
nomic growth, innovation pieces, the designs, the
Cultural & Creative Indus- and infrastructure, reduced dancing, the singing, the
tries, a bit of the old and inequalities, sustainable cit- performing, the festivals,
new ies, responsible consump- Aruba displays all things
tion, climate action, life culture and creativity.
Culture for many people below water, life on land,
is the summary of their be- peace and strong institu- So please join me in this
ing. For others, it might be a tions and partnerships. journey of uncovering Aru-
form of expression or simply ba’s CCI. Through the Cre-
a framework for belong- The Cultural and Creative ative Islander we will ex-
ing. No matter the depth Industries is an inclusive plore how the cultural and
or the width, culture seems look towards preserving creative industries could