WILLEMSTAD – The annual Arte di Palabra literary competition is set to expand to primary education, organizers announced during the finals of the event on Curaçao, where students showcased their talents in Papiamentu.
Arte di Palabra is a long-standing competition and cultural exchange program for secondary school students, aimed at promoting the use and appreciation of Papiamentu. This year’s finale marked a new milestone with the introduction of “Konfèti di Palabra,” a new category specifically for primary school students. The first edition is scheduled for June 20 at the auditorium of the University of Curaçao.
A notable highlight of this year’s event was the participation of a special education primary school for the first time. Students from the Frater Evonius School took part in the haiku competition, earning a place on the program’s stage.
In addition to the competition, the Tapushi Literario award was presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the Papiamentu language. This year’s recipients were Trevor Bakhuis, Reyna Joe, and Jenilva Coffi-Alberto.
Organizers emphasized that the continued success of Arte di Palabra is due in large part to the dedication of teachers, volunteers, and sponsors, including the Dutch Foundation for Literature, MCB Bank, and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports.