WILLEMSTAD – Last Saturday, the Inspira Canva Foundation officially launched Curaçao’s first fully Papiamentu virtual reality experience. The project, led by Rovendley Welvaart and his team at Inspira Canva, began in July 2024 with the goal of bringing Curaçao’s history to life through the lens of virtual reality.
After months of preparation, historians and writers finalized the storyline in September 2024, paving the way for the first recordings. Using Impact Studios’ advanced technology, including motion capture suits and 3D Blender software, every movement was carefully captured and animated. The result: an immersive VR journey through Curaçao’s past, guided by the character “Rody,” who takes users through a time capsule spanning from the island’s volcanic origins beneath the sea to its achievement of country status in 2010.
Following a pilot program presented at several schools to give students an early taste of the project, the final version was unveiled on Saturday evening at Kura Hulanda. Guests experienced the VR adventure in Papiamentu for the first time and enjoyed an evening filled with cultural performances, including a presentation by AhaMoto’s AI robot, a fire show, songs by Aiem, a youth dance performance by Timon, and much more.
That same night also marked the official launch of brugkreativo.com, a new digital platform designed to connect local artists with each other and with audiences worldwide. The platform, free for both creators and users, allows singers, dancers, musicians, filmmakers, and visual artists to register and showcase their work, creating opportunities for discovery and collaboration.
Welvaart explained that the platform was born out of a need for a space where artists from Curaçao and the wider Papiamentu-speaking community across the Dutch Kingdom can connect. More than 40 artists have already joined, with a goal of reaching 200 by the end of 2025.
The project is supported by Impact Creative Agency, Curoil, Cultuur Participatie, the Curaçao Film Office, and the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, ensuring both the VR experience and the new online platform contribute to the island’s cultural innovation and visibility.
