WILLEMSTAD – In honor of Emancipation Day on July 1, Fundashon Museo Tula extended heartfelt congratulations to the people of Curaçao and reminded the public that emancipation is not a one-time event, but a continuous journey of positive transformation. According to the foundation, the process goes far beyond the abolition of slavery in 1863. 

“Emancipation means learning to see situations and problems through a new lens and gaining deeper understanding,” the foundation stated. It emphasized that slavery was not abolished out of goodwill, but out of necessity—driven by mass resistance and escape efforts from enslaved people on the island. Even slaveholders, the foundation noted, began to complain about losing their "investments." 

Museo Tula highlighted that the fight for freedom did not end with Tula’s uprising in 1795. “We must honor our ancestors who had the courage to flee and fight for our freedom,” the foundation declared. Following the abolition of slavery, Curaçao took further emancipatory steps including the establishment of trade unions, universal voting rights, and access to education. 

Yet, according to Fundashon Museo Tula, full emancipation has not yet been achieved. The organization calls for ongoing reflection on identity, protection of the Papiamentu language, the fight against racism, and the nurturing of critical, socially conscious citizens. 

“Mental slavery still exists in our society,” the foundation warned, urging the community to remain vigilant and proactive in building a more just and self-aware Curaçao.