Exhibition "Letra y Consenshi: Balor Humano di un Pueblo"

The exhibition invites the community to reflect on the history of slavery in Aruba and the importance of human dignity, organized to mark the National Day of Commemoration of the Abolition of Slavery.

The ceremony included:

• A welcoming address by Ichmarah Kock of the National Library of Aruba;
• A message from Director Astrid Britten;
• A speech by Prime Minister Mike Eman;
• A poetry recital by Tasho de Dichter;
• A presentation by Marushka Tromp on the UNESCO Memory of the World program;
• A recorded message from Memory of the World Netherlands;
• A presentation by Raymond Hernandez, Director of the Archivo Nacional Aruba, regarding historical documents related to slavery;
• An artistic dramatization;
• A speech by Jefka Alberto on behalf of the Committee for the Commemoration of the History of Slavery;
• An official introduction to the exhibition by Renwick Heronimo.

In his speech, Prime Minister Eman emphasized the importance of the community confronting the era of slavery, acknowledging the historical facts, and accepting that there was a time when humanity did not treat all people with equality and dignity. He pointed out that only through a willingness to recognize the past can we continue to correct what happened and work toward preventing similar circumstances in the future. In this regard, he also referenced the official apologies previously offered on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, stating that every generation bears the responsibility to uphold and promote the values of respect, equality, and human dignity.

During his address, he further emphasized that the history of slavery is not just about the past, but also about the ongoing responsibility to protect the values that sustain our society. He noted that the conflicts and wars facing the world today serve as a reminder of how fragile civilization is, and how quickly humanity can lose the values of respect and dignity if they are not carefully safeguarded.

One of the central documents of the exhibition is the so-called "Carta Capriles," an 1857 letter written by Juan Bautista Capriles and another Aruban citizen. In the letter, they informed the Governor of the time about the mistreatment of enslaved people. The document demonstrates that even before emancipation in 1863, there were individuals in Aruba who raised their voices to defend human dignity. The Carta Capriles is part of a collection of historical documents that were inscribed into the UNESCO Memory of the World Register in 2025, recognizing their significance to global documentary heritage.

At the conclusion of his speech, Prime Minister Eman expressed his gratitude to the National Archives of Aruba, the National Library of Aruba, UNESCO, and all the experts who have dedicated years to researching, preserving, and digitizing these historical documents. He emphasized that their efforts ensure that Aruba's history remains accessible to future generations, noting that knowledge is a vital tool in preventing the dark chapters of history from ever repeating themselves.