RIO HACHA – Curaçao is taking part in a major regional gathering in northern Colombia this weekend aimed at deepening historical, cultural and economic ties between the Dutch Caribbean and the Colombian Caribbean coast.
The event, titled Mma pe’ipaasü / Nos Tera Uni (“Our Lands United”), is being held in Riohacha, the capital of Colombia’s La Guajira Department, and brings together delegations from Curaçao, Aruba, Colombia and the Netherlands.
Running from Saturday through Monday, the meeting focuses on the centuries-old relationship between the islands of Curaçao and Aruba and the Colombian Caribbean region — a relationship rooted in trade, migration, shared family histories and cultural exchange.
Representing Curaçao at the official opening is Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Sithree van Heydoorn, who is participating alongside officials from Aruba, Colombia and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The gathering places strong emphasis on cultural identity and regional heritage.
Curaçao’s participation includes the presentation of a short film by a Curaçao filmmaker and the pre-launch of a bilingual poetry collection featuring contemporary writers from Curaçao and Aruba.
Organizers say the literary project highlights the linguistic and cultural bridges that continue to connect the islands with the South American mainland.
Beyond culture, the event also turns toward history and economic cooperation.
Monday’s program will focus on academic and commercial ties, including discussions on more than 200 years of trade relations between Curaçao, Aruba and Colombia.
Historical researchers and archivists are expected to explore family connections and migration patterns that shaped the Dutch Caribbean and northern Colombia, particularly through shared surnames and genealogical links.
Both the National Archives of Curaçao and the National Archives of Aruba are participating in those conversations.
The economic dimension of the event is equally significant.
Several Curaçao-based companies are taking part in La Guajira’s agro-industrial week, where regional agricultural production, food trade and investment opportunities are being promoted.
That participation comes at a time when Curaçao is increasingly looking toward regional food security and stronger trade partnerships with nearby Latin American markets.
The event also reflects Curaçao’s strategic geographic and historical position as a bridge between the Caribbean and South America.
For generations, trade routes between Curaçao and Colombia have supported commerce in food, livestock, goods and maritime services, while migration between the two regions created deep family and cultural bonds.
Organizers say the Riohacha meeting is designed not only to celebrate that shared history, but also to build new partnerships for the future.
For Curaçao, the event reinforces the island’s growing role in regional diplomacy, cultural exchange and economic cooperation within the wider Caribbean basin.