For an ideal honeymoon that involves more than just relaxing on a beach and sipping on a fruity drink, the One Happy Island of Aruba provides an array of cultural and educational activities for all. This top Caribbean island offers travellers a variety of cultural events, attractions and educational activities for a guaranteed enriching experience in an island paradise setting.
In addition to the multitude of water and land activities available to vacationers, Aruba’s many museums, art galleries, cultural events and festivals provide visitors with a different perspective. It allows them to walk away with a knowledge of Aruban history, culture and traditions of the island and its people.
Highlights of Aruba’s cultural attractions and events include:
Museums:
•Archaeological Museum of Aruba – The first of its kind in the Caribbean, Aruba’s National Archeological Museum is located in downtown Oranjestad. The museum complex offers an authentic glimpse into 5,000 years of regional history with entertaining and interactive displays. The complex also includes a research center and a cafeteria. The first temporary exhibition titled “Rancho” features Aruba’s traditional fisherman’s quarters on the western skirts of Oranjestad.
•Aruba Historical Museum – The Historical Museum is located in Oranjestad in Fort Zoutman, the oldest building in Aruba, which was built in 1798 for protection against pirates and enemies. Featuring antique farm implements and household goods, the museum illustrates how the island’s first settlers lived and worked.
•Aruba Aloe Museum & Factory – Founded in 1890, the Aruba Aloe factory, located on the 150 acres of Aruba Aloe fields, produces an extensive line of Body, Sun & Hair Care products containing locally cultivated and freshly processed 100% Pure Aruba Aloe Vera Gel. The factory is also home to a museum which gives visitors an inside look into the production process of the Aruba Aloe products and the chance
to learn about the 160-year old history of Aloe on Aruba through free tours Monday to Saturday.
Art
Galleries & Theaters:
• Cas di Cultura – The National Theater of Aruba, Cas di Cultura is home to local, regional and international films, lectures, concerts, dance performances, art exhibitions, folkloric show and plays throughout the year.
• Art Studio Insight – Visitors can enjoy the range of solo and group exhibitions of local and international contemporary artists housed here.
• Osaira Muyale Contemporary Art Studio – Osaira Muyale, a contemporary artist living and working in Aruba, created a museum out of her art studio as part of her ongoing dedication and promise to interact with the community. On display are Osaira’s works, which she produces in the studio with international artists, as well as local and regional educators.
• Elisa Lejuez Peters Gallery ArtStudio – Dutch-born Elisa Lejuez is known for her colorful silk screen paintings and artworks using pieces of fabric, combinations of numbers and letters, gold and
silver leaf, and materials gathered from old books and magazines. Her artwork is on display throughout Aruba and can be found in Amazonia Restaurant, the Lounge at Tierra del Sol, Radisson Spa and Towers, and in her own art studio at Malmokweg 42, which doubles as a museum and gallery. For a sample of the artist’s work, please visit
www.elisalejuez.com.
Cultural Events:
• Carnival – Aruba’s Carnival celebration is a yearly colourful event which includes street parties, festive parades and creative contests for locals and visitors alike. Parties are held in various districts of the island, giving everyone the opportunity to participate and dance to Aruba’s most popular brass band, steel band and road march tunes. Highlights of the three-month celebration include: the Torch Parade, which kicks off the festivities in January; elections for Mrs. Carnival and both youth and adult Carnival Queens;
the Lighting Parade; and the Grand Carnival Parade, which takes place the Sunday before the official end of Carnival season.
• Bon Bini Festival – The Bon Bini Festival takes place every Tuesday at 6:30 pm in the outdoor courtyard of Fort Zoutman. The festival includes traditionally costumed folkloric dancers, musical acts featuring local genres and instruments, local artwork, and traditional food and beverages.
• Musical Morning – On the last Sunday of every month, local musicians provide free performances of jazz, classical, folkloric, and classic Antillean music from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the French Steak House at Manchebo Beach Resort.
For more information on travel to Aruba, please visit online at www.ARUBA.com or call 1-800-TO-ARUBA.