ORANJESTAD – The Commission for National Days Celebrations CCDN is preparing multiple activities in connection with the 47th anniversary of our National Anthem and Flag Day.
This year’s theme is “Unity is the power of our beloved rock”.
Cultural Manifestation
On March 17, a cultural manifestation will be held at the Plaza Libertador Betico Croes starting at 6:00 pm. This event includes a fair that sells food, sweets, and local crafts.
Academy Musical Harp and Cuatro, directed by Edgard Kelkboom, will perform. At 8:00 pm, the official program will start with a speech by the Minister of Culture, followed by a cultural dance, song, and poetry show and a music presentation by Chris Kross. The group Musical Time will be the last act for the evening.
Protocol ceremony
On March 18, 2023, National Anthem and Flag Day, the community is invited to be present at the Protocol event on the Plaza Libertador Betico Croes, where Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes will give a speech, followed by an aubade. The morning starts at 8:30 am with a choir consisting of Colegio Laura Wernet Paskel school pupils, Colegio San Hose and Maria School and reinforced by Coro Tutti Frutti and accompanied by the Caribbean Combo Musical School Rufo Wever.
Parade uniformed groups
After the protocol event, a parade will follow by the uniformed groups and includes scouts, uniformed civil servants, sports clubs, and cultural clubs to close the National Anthem and Flag Celebration event on the Plaza Libertador Betico Croes.
School drawing contest
The CCDN has prepared a school drawing contest for all prep schools and primary schools.
The theme for this year’s contest is the six districts in Aruba, Oranjestad, Noord, Paradera, Santa Cruz, Savaneta, and San Nicolas. Children can use their fantasy and creativity to draw what they consider significant for each district. They can submit the drawings at their school. Each school will select the best painting/drawing for each class and forward it to the CCDN. CCDN and the teachers’ commission will select each category winner. Prizes are available for prep schools, and primary schools for classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Kibra Coco
This year, they will organize “Kibra Coco” to help educate the children more about Aruba. On the drawing of the school contest, there is a QR Code that the children have to scan that gives them access together with their parents to the quiz about our national symbols. The family with the fastest correct answers will win a prize.
Video “What do we like most about Aruba”?
The CCDN has also prepared a “What do we like most about Aruba” contest to start a movement, where all prep schools and primary schools can create a video and submit it. The video should be no longer than 30 seconds and display what they like most about Aruba. Together with the teachers, the children can record a video on a cell phone with a beautiful message about what they like most about Aruba. The most creative video with the best message will win a prize for the entire class.
The Minister of Culture and the CCDN want to thank all entities and individuals helping National Anthem and Flag Day celebrations. They include Government Departments, KPA, DOW, and IBISA. A special thanks go to SETAR NV, Utilities Aruba NV, WEB Aruba NV and NV Elmar Aruba, and UNOCA, for their contribution to the Anthem and Flag Day Celebrations.
