ORANJESTAD (AAN) – Elmar Congratulates Winners of Cantica di Caya 2026 after the cultural festival brought together local singers, musicians, composers, arrangers, and folkloric groups for an evening celebrating Aruba’s musical heritage.
For the second consecutive year, N.V. Elmar participated as an official sponsor of the Festival Cantica di Caya, an initiative organized by Fundacion Chico Harms as part of the 2026 Brazil Day season.
The festival was held on July 25 at Centro di Bario Brazil, where attendees enjoyed traditional rhythms, original Papiamento songs, and performances by local artists.
Winners Announced in Three Categories
Elmar congratulated the winners in the festival’s three competition categories:
- Tambu Category: Roosje Growell, accompanied by Grupo di Tambu Zona Cultura, with the song “Mi ta los awe.”
- Traditional Tipico Category: Jurainy Luckert, accompanied by Rincon Boyz, with the song “Ban dilanti.”
- Folkloric Band Category: Jason Kelly, accompanied by Awari, with the song “Ta caya a yama.”
Promoting New Aruban Music
The Festival Cantica di Caya was created to strengthen Aruba’s folkloric and cultural movement while providing a platform for singers, composers, arrangers, and musical groups to present new local music.
According to the organizers, all competing songs had to be completely original, written and performed in Papiamento, and reflect Aruba’s culture, traditions, folklore, identity, and the atmosphere of the Brazil Day celebrations.
Permitted musical styles included:
- Tambu
- Tumba
- Danza
- Mazurka
Winning Songs Join Brazil Day Parades
The winning songs will become part of the folkloric and cultural parades held during the Brazil Day season.
Their inclusion is expected to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Aruba’s musical heritage while giving the winning artists broader public exposure.
Elmar Thanks Participants and Organizers
Elmar thanked Fundacion Chico Harms, the organizers, judges, participants, singers, composers, arrangers, and musical groups for contributing to an edition filled with culture, music, and local talent.
The company also wished the people of Aruba a joyful, healthy, and safe Brazil Day season under the message “Sinti E Energia” of culture.
