WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao-born cultural leader Paulo Martina will become the new director of the Herdenkingscomité Slavernijverleden (Slavery Memorial Committee) starting May 1. He will succeed the current leadership and guide the organization during a period in which awareness and reflection on the history of slavery remain central.
Martina said he feels personally connected to the subject because of his background. “Because of my roots, I feel strongly motivated to use my knowledge and experience for the Slavery Memorial Committee. I feel deeply connected to the people and the issue,” he stated.
Since 2023, Martina has served as director of Musea Zutphen in the Netherlands. Earlier in his career he led Museum Van Bommel van Dam in Venlo and Museum Dr8888 in Drachten. He has also held several advisory and board positions within the cultural sector.
In his new role, Martina plans to focus on strengthening research, education and dialogue about the shared history of slavery. According to him, understanding history is essential for society today.
“Shoulder to shoulder, building a resilient future,” Martina said, describing his vision for the work of the organization.
Martina was born in Curaçao in 1964 and moved to the Netherlands at the age of twelve. He has more than thirty years of experience in the arts and cultural sector.