ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Aruba Slavery Museum Talks have advanced following a meeting between Prime Minister Mike Eman and a delegation from the Nationaal Slavernijmuseum, with discussions focused on ensuring Aruba’s history, experiences and perspectives receive an appropriate place in the future museum.
Eman received the delegation at the Bestuurskantoor during its working visit to Aruba.
The delegation included John Leerdam, director and managing director of the Nationaal Slavernijmuseum; Franc Weerwind, former Dutch Minister for Legal Protection and current chairman of the museum’s supervisory board; and board adviser Ashley Chin.
The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange ideas about the development of the museum and the importance of incorporating perspectives from Aruba and the wider Caribbean.
Aruba Slavery Museum Talks Focus on Representation
A central subject during the Aruba Slavery Museum Talks was how the institution can connect meaningfully with Aruba’s own historical context.
The Nationaal Slavernijmuseum aims to tell a broad account of the Dutch slavery past while incorporating different experiences and perspectives from across the Kingdom.
Its vision is not limited to presenting historical events in isolation.
Instead, the museum aims to encourage recognition, understanding and dialogue while examining the continuing impact of slavery and colonial history.
For Aruba, Eman said participation in this process is important so that the island’s history and perspectives receive an appropriate place within the wider narrative.
Museum Seeks Kingdom-Wide Cooperation
The Nationaal Slavernijmuseum is being developed as an institution intended to have relevance throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
That means cooperation with organizations and communities in the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom is considered an important part of its development.
The museum organization has emphasized that knowledge held within the islands is essential to telling a more complete story.
A significant part of transatlantic slavery history is connected to the Caribbean, making regional participation important when developing exhibitions, educational programs and historical narratives.
Rather than creating a story solely from a European Dutch perspective, the museum intends to include voices from the places and communities directly connected to that history.
Eman Supports Aruba’s Participation
Prime Minister Eman, who also has culture within his portfolio, said Aruba should be actively involved as the museum continues taking shape.
The discussion focused on how Aruba’s experiences can be represented carefully and meaningfully rather than being added only after the main museum concept has already been developed.
The meeting also explored how Aruba could maintain connections with the institution as its programs, exhibitions and educational activities continue to develop.
For Eman, the objective is to make sure Aruba has a voice in a shared historical narrative that affects communities across the Kingdom.
Museum Development Began After Years of Dialogue
The Nationaal Slavernijmuseum emerged from longstanding calls within Afro-Caribbean and other communities for greater recognition of the history and legacy of slavery.
The City of Amsterdam and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science began developing plans for a national museum following discussions that started in 2017.
A broader consultation process involving communities in the Netherlands, the Caribbean and Suriname eventually contributed to the plan known as “Vertel het hele verhaal,” or “Tell the Whole Story.”
That approach emphasizes incorporating multiple perspectives rather than presenting one single version of the past.
The Stichting Nationaal Slavernijmuseum was formally established in 2025 as development of the institution continued.
Dialogue With Aruba to Continue
The Aruba Slavery Museum Talks form part of a broader effort to maintain dialogue between the museum organization and Caribbean partners.
Eman welcomed the opportunity to meet the delegation and exchange views about how Aruba can contribute to the initiative.
The discussions reflect a wider goal of ensuring that the future museum represents voices from throughout the Kingdom and gives appropriate attention to the different experiences connected to its shared history.
As the Nationaal Slavernijmuseum continues its development, Aruba’s participation is expected to help shape how Caribbean perspectives are incorporated into the museum’s exhibitions, research and educational storytelling.
