The Lanta Papiamento Videos campaign has officially launched, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of using Papiamento in daily life and education.
Fundacion Lanta Papiamento announced the release of five short videos as part of its campaign titled “Papiamento: Nos Raiz, Nos Futuro” (Papiamento: Our Roots, Our Future). Each video lasts 15 seconds and highlights Papiamento as a language of identity and unity within the Aruban community.
The videos began airing on February 21, in celebration of International Mother Language Day, during programming on Telearuba, a partner in the project. They are also available on the foundation’s social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, and can be accessed through Coleccion Aruba (coleccion.aw).
Each video portrays real-life situations where people proudly speak Papiamento. Examples include a mother encouraging her child to speak Papiamento and a teacher inspiring students to value their native language. Every video concludes with a clear call to action:
“Nos idioma Papiamento, cuid’e” (Our language Papiamento, protect it).
The foundation was able to carry out the project thanks to financial support from the Committee for the Commemoration of the Slavery Past. Special thanks were extended to Creator Films/Ronney Dotel and the local actors and students who contributed to the production, including Nelson Gonzalez, Tuesday Irwin, Katelyn Lejuez, Roos van der Sloot, Lupita Bernabela, Luz Mary Pabón, Rubia Bernabela, Alisaène Abdul, Shahayra Croes, and Christopher-John Lejuez.
Additional appreciation was given to Biblioteca Nacional Aruba, Departamento Arubiana-Caribiana, Fleur Up Boutique, and Telearuba for their collaboration.
Fundacion Lanta Papiamento invites the community to follow its social media channels and tune in to Telearuba to watch the inspiring videos.
The message remains clear: Papiamento is our root and our future.
