To form a network to give insight on migration after the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean
ORANJESTAD – Recently, the University of Aruba together with the Commission for Awareness of Slavery of the Ministry of Finance and Culture organized an informational evening, during which Dr. Coen van Galen of the University of Radboud in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, gave a talk titled ‘Borderless Slavery and Freedom in the Caribbean’.
In front of an audience of interested parties, Dr. Van Galen gave information regarding the project to connect the archives of the countries in the Caribbean with the goal of finding out more about the migration of people that took place after the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean.
Dr. Van Galen explained that until now the project to connect the archives consists of an international network of archives between Suriname and Curaçao. Currently, work is being carried out so that Aruba can also connect to the network. Surely now that Aruba has advanced greatly on digitalization and making our historical documents accesible, it will be ideal for Aruba’s historical information to also be available on the international network.
The connection with these archives is important for all those who want to know more about their ancestors and their link to the islands in the Caribbean. The information is important also to be able to do research on structures within society after the abolition of slavery. This way, insight can be gained also on how slavery and colonialismo affected the generations after the abolition of slavery and until now.
Minister of Culture, Xiomara Maduro thanked Dr. Van Galen for the thorough explanation and for his interest in having Aruba also connected to this international network. During the talk, minister Maduro informed those present regarding the important work being done by the National Library of Aruba (BNA) and the National Archive of Aruba (ANA) to continue digitalization and making our cultural heritage accessible. The minister invited all those present to watch the two special programs “Making our cultural heritage accessible” which were broadcasted on television, in order to inform on the efforts made to digitalize and make our cultural heritage accessible. Both programs are available via the YouTube channel of minister Xiomara Maduro.
