Winners of the “Arte di Palabra Aruba 2026” Competition

Winners of the “Arte di Palabra Aruba 2026” Competition Announced

ORANJESTAD (AAN) – The Department of Culture Aruba proudly announces the winners of the Arte di Palabra Aruba 2026 competition, a cultural platform dedicated to showcasing the power of speech, oral expression, poetry, and performance.

Held on Tuesday, March 28, 2026, at EPI School, the event featured talented students from various schools, each demonstrating their creativity, depth, and artistic expression. Minister Wendell Cicilia was in attendance, showing strong support for the artistic and cultural development of Aruba.

Winners in each category are as follows:

• Category A (Existing Poetry, Grades 1-2)
  Winner: Alía Hernandez, Mon Plaisir College – “Den Mi Mente”
• Category B (Original Poetry, Grades 1-2)
  Winner: Rayvienne Loopstok, Ceque College – “Raiz di nos tera”
  2nd: Alía Hernandez, Mon Plaisir College – “My Essence Does Not Intimidate”
  3rd: Samantha Stephania Romero Farias, Edu Campus – “Metamorphosis”
• Category E (Original Account, Grades 1-2)
  Winner: Samantha Stephania Romero Farias, Edu Campus – “Aliansa di Amor”
• Category C (Original Poetry, Grades 3-6 / EPI 1,2)
  Winner: Destiny Bernabela, Colegio Arubano – “Un Buraco sin Fondo”
  2nd: Reanne Ras, Colegio Arubano – “Scucha Mi”
  3rd: Phillip-Johnson Martinus Arion, Ceque College – “Un Reflexion di Bida”
• Category F (Original Account, Grades 3-6 / EPI 1,2)
  Winner: Guizza Steenvoorde, Colegio Arubano – “Cunucu Cosecha”
  2nd: Phillip-Johnson Martinus Arion, Ceque College – “Bubi e Cacho cu a bay Scol”
• Category G (Rap)
  Winner: Isdell Hyacine, Colegio EPI – “Den Bida nos tur tin momento”
  2nd: Ben-Hadad Abdon, Colegio Nigel Matthew – “Suicidio ta e solucion”
  3rd: Lens Roodley Julien, Colegio EPI – “E Cabamento”

Overall Winner:
Destiny Bernabela, Colegio Arubano – “A Bottomless Hole”

The Arte di Palabra Aruba 2026 competition successfully highlights Aruba’s rich talent pool and reinforces the importance of creativity, cultural identity, and artistic expression within the community.

The Department of Culture Aruba extends sincere gratitude to the participants, teachers, staff, press, and all collaborators for making this edition a success.

ABC Word Art Competition
The community is also invited to attend the ABC Word Art Competition final, set to take place on May 30, 2026, at Paseo Herencia. Delegations from Bonaire, Curaçao, and Aruba will compete for the title of ABC Word Art Winner.