WILLEMSTAD - Wintertuin Curaçao has announced an open call for literary artists from Curaçao to participate in a unique international project. The initiative aims to harness the power of Creole languages as a unifying force in an era marked by growing division. It encourages language innovation through intercultural collaboration, providing a platform for artists to explore the creative potential of multilingualism and cultural fusion.
Creole languages, rooted in the Latin verb creare (to create or produce), embody the creative possibilities of cultural blending. Languages like Papiamentu, Sranantongo, Kriolu, and hybrids such as Spanglish showcase how language can unite communities and serve as a dynamic medium for innovation and identity.
Promoting Creole Languages as European Heritage
The project is part of the (FLI) program, which is dedicated to the preservation and development of Creole languages as essential elements of European heritage. FLI offers artists a platform for collaboration, coaching, and workshops focused on language diversity and cultural fusion. The acronym "FLI," which means "kite" in Papiamentu, symbolizes resilience, connection, and playfulness—qualities that reflect the power of language.
Participating artists will be paired with an international colleague from the Netherlands, Spain, or Portugal to collaborate on innovative experiments. These partnerships will operate at multiple levels: in pairs, within small groups, and in a transnational setting where all participants exchange ideas and present their work.
The project will kick off with an online meeting where artists will have the opportunity to meet their international counterparts and explore how multilingual language innovation can foster an inclusive cultural dialogue. The outcomes of these artistic collaborations will be showcased at the Wintertuin Curaçao Festival in 2026.
Application Details
Interested candidates are invited to submit a proposal in English, up to 2,500 words. The proposal should include a description of the research question, the artist's vision for language innovation, a brief biography, and a portfolio highlighting their engagement with language diversity. The deadline for submissions is January 5, with selected artists to be announced on January 27.