ORANJESTAD, Aruba — Lens di mi Wowonan 2026 opens Tuesday evening at Biblioteca Nacional Aruba, celebrating press photography, Aruba’s cultural identity and four photographers whose work has documented life on the island.
The annual exhibition also marks the 18th consecutive year that RBC Royal Bank Aruba N.V. has served as its principal sponsor.
RBC Director Pierre Rafini said the bank is proud to continue supporting an initiative that brings photographers, journalists and the community together through images documenting Aruba’s history and everyday life.
The exhibition opens at 7:00 p.m. on September 1 at Biblioteca Nacional in Oranjestad and will remain available to the public during regular library hours throughout September.
Lens di mi Wowonan 2026 Celebrates Aruba
This year’s Lens di mi Wowonan 2026 exhibition is dedicated to Departamento di Cultura Aruba, or DCA, as the institution celebrates its 48th anniversary.
For nearly five decades, DCA has worked to preserve, document and promote Aruba’s cultural heritage.
The recognition carries additional significance during a year when Aruba is commemorating several national milestones, including 70 years of its Coat of Arms, 50 years of the national anthem and flag, and 40 years since Status Aparte.
Rafini said these anniversaries make the exhibition a broader tribute to Aruba’s identity and to the people and institutions that help preserve it.
RBC Marks 18 Years as Main Sponsor
RBC Royal Bank has supported Lens di mi Wowonan as principal sponsor for all 18 years of the exhibition.
Rafini said that commitment reflects the bank’s support for art, culture and the people who document Aruba through photography and journalism.
The exhibition brings together images that have appeared in newspapers, websites, social media and other media platforms.
Through those photographs, visitors can revisit events, people and moments that have shaped the island.
Rafini emphasized that supporting photographers also helps preserve Aruba’s historical record for future generations.
Four Photographers Receive Recognition
Four photographers will receive special recognition during this year’s exhibition.
Eric Boeldak will receive the Djispie Franken Award.
Boeldak began his photography career in the Netherlands and later spent approximately 10 years working for Aruba newspaper The News. He continues working independently as a photographer.
Urig Feliciana will receive the Victor Winklaar Award.
Feliciana began as a photographer at Bon Dia Aruba before moving to Telearuba, where he expanded his work into camerawork, video editing and graphic design. He is currently associated with MasNoticia.com.
Arends and Werleman Also Honored
The exhibition will also recognize Michelangelo Arends, who has more than a decade of experience in underwater photography.
His work brings a different perspective to Aruba’s visual record by documenting life and environments beneath the sea.
Independent photographer Noel Werleman will also be honored for his long career covering sports.
Werleman has documented major national and international competitions and has worked with organizations including Telearuba and the Aruba Olympic Committee.
According to the exhibition organizers, he has covered Aruba’s delegation at three Olympic Games.
Photography Preserves Aruba’s History
The photographers being honored represent the wider purpose of Lens di mi Wowonan 2026: documenting Aruba’s history through images while inspiring future generations of visual storytellers.
Rafini also thanked photographer and journalist Leo Vrolijk and his team for continuing to organize and develop the exhibition year after year.
He extended appreciation to Aruba’s journalists and media professionals for their role in keeping the public informed about events on the island and abroad.
The exhibition at Biblioteca Nacional gives residents an opportunity to view photographs that have helped tell Aruba’s stories while recognizing the professionals who work behind the camera.
Lens di mi Wowonan 2026 opens Tuesday evening at Biblioteca Nacional in Oranjestad and will remain accessible during the library’s regular opening hours throughout September.
