ORANJESTAD (AAN) – The digital cultural magazine Revista SER Caribe was officially introduced to the general public during a special event held at the National Library of Aruba (BNA) on December 4, 2025. The launch took place in the presence of a highly engaged audience interested in cultural, artistic, and academic exchange within the Caribbean region.
Revista SER Caribe embodies a strong sense of identity and belonging, highlighting the importance of cultural expression as a foundation of collective identity. The magazine’s main objective is to strengthen integration across the Caribbean region by embracing its diverse cultural, artistic, linguistic, and social expressions. Through content covering art, literature, gastronomy, multiculturalism, and multilingualism, the publication seeks to unite the insular and continental Caribbean while respecting each region’s unique characteristics. The magazine can be accessed at www.revistacercaribe.com.
The initiative was created by Maria Isabel Cabarcas Aguilar, cultural manager and director of the magazine, who envisioned a beautifully designed publication that reflects the essence of SER Caribe. An important aspect of the magazine is its openness to contributions from across the Caribbean, welcoming publications in any of the languages spoken in the insular and continental Caribbean.
Ms. Cabarcas Aguilar, a lawyer and social worker, is also a social entrepreneur and opinion columnist. In 2015, she founded Fundación InspirARTE in Riohacha, La Guajira, Colombia. Since its inception, Fundación InspirARTE has collaborated with Fundación Rancho to promote cultural unity between La Guajira and Aruba. This collaboration, rooted in a professional and personal relationship that began in 2013 between Ms. Cabarcas Aguilar and Clifford Rosa, has been expressed through various cultural events held in both Aruba and Riohacha.
With the goal of expanding this cultural integration to the wider Caribbean, the first edition of Revista SER Caribe features contributions from 30 individuals across seven Caribbean locations: Aruba, Colombia, Curaçao, Cuba, Miami (USA), Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. This spirit of integration is visually represented on the magazine’s striking cover artwork, “Tejiendo el Gran Caribe”, created by Wayuu visual artist Yei Durán.
Ms. Cabarcas Aguilar expressed her gratitude to all contributors who made the first edition possible, including authors, poets, historians, and artists. Revista SER Caribe is a multilingual, biannual digital publication, with its next edition scheduled for May 2026. The possibility of a future printed edition will depend on support from governmental and private institutions.
The launch event attracted a large audience deeply interested in cultural and social integration between Aruba and La Guajira. Several attendees expressed their willingness to support the initiative, with some even committing to contribute to future editions. Others emphasized the importance of strengthening human connections between the two regions through regular air travel links.
The event featured a musical performance by Aruban singer-songwriter Glenda Zavala, a recognized representative of vallenato music in Aruba. The evening concluded with an engaging panel discussion on Caribbean integration, culture, family ties, and history. The discussion was moderated by linguist Ramon Todd Dandare and included Maria Isabel Cabarcas Aguilar, Clifford Rosa (President of Fundación Rancho), and Benjamin Romero Barliza, author and journalist.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Cabarcas Aguilar expressed her appreciation to Astrid Britten, Director of the National Library of Aruba, for hosting the event, and thanked all attendees, including Parliamentarian and former Minister of Culture Xiomara Maduro, for their presence and support.
Photo Credit : https://diario.aw/categories/noticia/general/introduccion-di-revista-ser-caribe-na-biblioteca-nacional-di-aruba
