The National Library of Aruba has received two copies of a new book examining heritage, ancestry and community memory in St. Eustatius. Dr. Artwell Cain presented the books to library director Astrid Britten during a visit on September 2.
The publication, titled St. Eustatius: Restoring Our Ties. The Voices of Statians Making a Difference, brings together community perspectives connected to the island’s history and the legacy of trans-Atlantic slavery.
A community response to excavation
The book follows controversy surrounding the 2021 excavation of a historic cemetery in St. Eustatius, where remains believed to be those of enslaved Africans were recovered. Descendants and other community members raised concerns about consultation, identity, remembrance and the respectful treatment of the ancestors.
According to the source report, the 2026 publication documents voices from the Statian community and calls attention to 69 excavated African ancestors who are still awaiting reburial.
Research available in Aruba
Cain is a cultural anthropologist and independent researcher whose work focuses on ethnicity, identity, slavery and heritage. By adding the book to its collection, the Aruba library gives local readers access to a regional discussion with direct relevance to Caribbean history and cultural responsibility.
The presentation also underlines the role libraries play in preserving difficult histories and making research accessible for education and public reflection.
Source: Information based on reporting from 24ora English.
