WILLEMSTAD - On Sunday, December 15, 2024, the Foundation for the Statue of Mr. Dr. Moises Frumencio Da Costa Gomez, in collaboration with the Government of Curaçao, held a solemn ceremony at Gomezplein in Punda. This event honored Curaçao’s national hero, Dòktor Da Costa Gomez, while marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Minister Sythree Van Heydoorn and Former Prime Minister Maria Liberia-Peters
The program featured several inspiring and reflective moments. A key highlight was the unveiling of a newly designed balustrade surrounding the statue of Dòktor Da Costa Gomez. The unique, historically inspired design symbolizes the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The balustrade serves not only as a physical boundary for the statue but also as a symbolic representation of Dòktor Da Costa Gomez’s determination. Created by artist 7.1, Mr. Giovanni Abath, the design incorporates clean, sharp lines that reflect the straightforward and decisive actions taken by Dòktor during his career. The side panels of the balustrade are engraved with the outlines of the six islands of the former Netherlands Antilles, representing their collective effort in achieving the Charter. The monument as a whole elevates Dòktor Da Costa Gomez’s legacy, serving as a powerful reminder of the efforts to transform the former colony into an internally autonomous state within the Kingdom. The front panels proudly display the flags of the Netherlands and the six islands of the former Netherlands Antilles, along with key dates and information to anchor the historical significance.
Various dignitaries, organizations, and family members of the foundation's initiators, including the current board of the Foundation for the Statue of Mr. Dr. Moises Frumencio Da Costa Gomez, paid their respects to Dòktor Da Costa Gomez through floral tributes. Mr. Francis de Lanoy delivered an inspiring speech titled “70 Years of the Charter: Progress for Curaçao and Our Lessons”, followed by remarks from Dr. Maria Liberia-Peters, Chairperson of the foundation, and Minister Sithree van Heydoorn of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.
Music, poetry, and reflections on the great leader from Curaçao’s history added cultural and symbolic depth to the event. The ceremony concluded with a social toast, emphasizing the spirit of unity and inspiration.
Through his leadership and vision, Dòktor Da Costa Gomez laid the foundation for a stronger Curaçao. His history and legacy continue to inspire the people of Curaçao, demonstrating that unity and collective effort can lead to remarkable achievements.
