Prime Minister Mike Eman attended the ceremony for the National Theater Awards 2026, which took place at the National Library of Aruba.
The event, organized by the Aruba Department of Culture (DCA) in collaboration with the National Library of Aruba and cultural expert Drs. Mirtho Lacle, was held in celebration of International Theater Day, which is commemorated annually on March 27.
During the ceremony, two important figures in the cultural field were honored. The National Literature Award (Theater) 2026 was awarded to Ernesto Rosenstand and presented to Dr. Wim Rutgers, while the National Theater Award 2026 was presented to Mrs. Maybelline Aura Arends-Croes.
The event was part of a broader program focusing on culture and identity, including presentations and talks titled “Stil Verleden” and “E Testigo Silencioso,” highlighting history, heritage, and artistic expression.
The celebration also took place in the context of commemorating 50 years of Dia di Himno y Bandera and 40 years of Status Aparte, emphasizing the role of arts and theater in the formation of Aruba’s national identity.
The Government of Aruba continues to recognize the importance of the cultural sector as a fundamental pillar in the preservation of history, identity, and the expression of the Aruban people.
