WILLEMSTAD – The Fleur de Marie Freedom Festival will not take place in 2026, as organizers have decided to pause the annual event to focus on further development and professionalization.
The festival, held each year around May 5 in Curaçao, has quickly grown since its launch in 2024 into one of the island’s larger cultural events, attracting thousands of visitors. However, the organizing foundation says it cannot guarantee the quality and safety standards required for a full edition this year.
Instead, 2026 will serve as a “building year,” during which the organization will work on strengthening the festival’s structure, improving content, and supporting talent development. The goal is to return in 2027 with a more sustainable and professionally organized event.
Despite the cancellation, May 5—widely associated with freedom and remembrance—will still be marked on the island. The foundation will host an alternative event, the Open Seat Freedom Meal, at the square next to Fort Amsterdam in Punda.
The gathering will offer visitors a free meal and the opportunity to engage in discussions about freedom, democracy, and human rights. Mauritsz de Kort will serve as co-host, and the event will open with a concert from the Governor’s Palace.
Organizers emphasized that the Freedom Meal is not a replacement for the festival, but rather a way to preserve its core values of connection and dialogue while preparations continue for future editions.