WILLEMSTAD – Singer Izaline Calister and baseball administrator Urny Florán will be honored during this year’s Siman di Kultura, Curaçao’s annual Culture Week, which will take place from September 27 through October 4 under the theme “Di Kòrsou pa Mundu” — “From Curaçao to the World.”
The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports announced the program this week during its annual press conference for Culture Week. Minister Charetti America spoke on behalf of Minister Sithree van Heydoorn, who was unable to attend due to medical treatment.
Izaline Calister
This year’s theme focuses on Curaçaoans whose cultural, educational or sporting contributions have extended beyond the island and helped bring Curaçao greater international recognition.
Calister will be honored for her musical career and her longstanding contribution to promoting Papiamentu through performances on international stages. The Curaçao-born singer has made the island’s language and musical traditions an important part of her artistic work.
Florán will receive recognition for his contribution to youth baseball and his involvement with Curaçao youth teams competing internationally. Baseball has become one of the areas in which Curaçao has achieved significant international visibility, with generations of local players progressing to high-level competitions abroad.
The 2026 Siman di Kultura will feature activities involving culture, science, education, dance and creativity, while neighborhoods and schools will also participate in projects connected to the “Di Kòrsou pa Mundu” theme.
Otrobanda will play a prominent role during the final weekend of September. Several organizations are participating in the program, including Fundashon Kaya Kaya, Science in the City and educational organization Skoba.
According to the ministry, the annual Culture Week is intended not only to celebrate Curaçao’s cultural identity but also to provide greater visibility to the people and organizations contributing to its development and international presence.
Siman di Kultura begins September 27 and continues through October 4.