WILLEMSTAD – On Sunday, May 4, Curaçao will hold its annual memorial ceremony in honor of the victims of World War II. The solemn event will take place at the Monument of the Fallen at Waaigat in Willemstad, where both military personnel and civilians who lost their lives during the war — as well as those who have died in peacekeeping missions or as a result of terrorism — will be remembered. 

The commemoration is organized by the Government of Curaçao in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Curaçao militia VKC, Scouting Antiano, the security brigade, SMEC, the Curaçao Police Force, military veterans, the Jewish community, and relatives of the victims. 

The ceremony at Waaigat will begin at 9:00 a.m. and is open to the public. Attendees, including family members of the fallen, will have the opportunity to lay flowers in remembrance. A second ceremony will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the military cemetery on Roodeweg in Otrobanda. 

This year’s May 4 observance on Curaçao focuses on the shared heritage of sacrifice. Around the world, this day serves as a reminder of the price paid for freedom and justice.