WILLEMSTAD - The government has received no fewer than 205 submissions for a new national emblem. Since the beginning of July, anyone could send in a design. The government will announce on September 10 which ten entries remain. From this, the population will be able to choose the winning emblem.  

On July 4, the government kicked off the drafting of a new national emblem. Anyone over the age of 12 was given 30 days to design a new emblem based on five criteria. "The new emblem should reflect resilience, radiate self-confidence, show that we are proud of the diversity of Curaçao, express the talents and qualities we have thanks to our past and finally reflect a bright future," said Komishon Emblema Nashonal Kòrsou (Curaçao National Coat of Arms Committee). 

According to the government, it is important to show what a citizen identifies with in order to be part of Curaçao. "What are we proud of and what do we want to show of ourselves to others?", according to the government. With that in mind, the population was allowed to get to work. The designs could be submitted until 19 August.  

The top ten will be announced on September 12. The population will be able to vote from that moment until September 26. The winning emblem will be presented on October 10.  

The winner will go home with 15,000 guilders and will go down in the history books as the designer of the national coat of arms of Curaçao.