AMSTERDAM, WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao cultural advocate Cenaida van Dinter has been awarded the 2026 Cultuurfonds Award, one of the Kingdom’s most important recognitions for individuals dedicated to preserving culture and heritage through volunteer work.
The distinction, which succeeded the well-known Silver Carnation award in 2024, recognizes people who have devoted years to protecting cultural or natural heritage within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Van Dinter received the honor for her decades-long commitment to preserving Curaçao’s intangible cultural heritage, particularly the traditional art of Curaçaoan headscarf tying.
Cenaida van Dinter
According to the Cultuurfonds, Van Dinter has spent more than fifty years keeping Curaçao’s cultural traditions alive and passing them on to younger generations.
Central to her work is the traditional Curaçaoan headscarf tradition, which the Cultuurfonds describes as rich in symbolism, history and storytelling closely connected to Curaçao’s cultural identity.
The organization says Van Dinter is among the few remaining people who still actively master and teach the traditional techniques and meanings behind the headscarves.
In addition to her work with traditional headwear, she spent many years teaching dance classes in schools, introducing generations of Curaçaoan children to their cultural heritage.
More recently, Van Dinter developed the first masterclass dedicated to Traditional Curaçaoan Headscarves, documenting techniques, meanings and historical background for future generations.
Cultuurfonds director Cathelijne Broers described Van Dinter’s contribution as being of “invaluable importance” to Curaçao and said her work demonstrates the essential role volunteers play in preserving culture.
The award ceremony will take place on May 27 at Fort de Batterijen in Nieuwegein. The distinction will be presented by Hans Oosters, who also serves as chairman of Cultuurfonds Utrecht.
The Cultuurfonds Award is intended for individuals who have dedicated more than ten years of voluntary service to culture or nature in both the Netherlands and the Caribbean parts of the Kingdom.