WILLEMSTAD – The 53rd Festival di Tumba will be dedicated to three-time winner Elia Isenia. This announcement was made yesterday during a press conference held by the event’s organizer, AMAK.
Known as 'Doña' Elia Isenia or 'Mama Elia,' she became the first woman to win the Tumbafestival in 1991 and claimed the crown and cape a total of three times, with her last victory in 2010. Celebrated for her powerful personality, commanding stage presence, and vast knowledge and experience, Isenia is recognized as one of the torchbearers of Curaçao’s cultural heritage.
The Festival di Tumba, Curaçao’s largest music festival, will take place this year from February 3 to 7 at the Curaçao Festival Center in Brievengat. Preliminary rounds will be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, with the grand finale on Friday. The festival’s winner traditionally becomes the most played and celebrated artist during the carnival season.
The event attracts tens of thousands of fans, whether in person at the Festival Center or through radio, television, and online broadcasts. It garners significant attention both on the islands and among the Curaçaoan diaspora in the Netherlands. The festival is organized by AMAK, the association for musicians and artists in Curaçao.