WILLEMSTAD – The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport (ESKD) has launched two new public campaigns in the run-up to Carnival 2026, aiming to promote cultural expression and public participation while offering cash prizes and exclusive rewards.
The first campaign, titled “Stelazje Blue Wave,” invites residents to decorate shop windows, benches, or T-shirts with a strong emphasis on Papiamentu as the mother tongue, combined with Carnival and the “Blue Wave” theme. Participants are encouraged to submit original and positive messages in Papiamentu. Cash prizes are available, with a top prize of 1,500 guilders for the shop window category and 1,000 guilders for the T-shirt category.
The second initiative, the “Gol Challenge,” is linked to Curaçao’s participation in the World Cup and to Festival di Tumba 2026, which has been dedicated to Ismael Jesurun, also known as Ike. Participants are challenged to create a dance performance to the song “Den Gol,” with which Jesurun won the title of King Tumba thirty years ago. Winners of the challenge will receive so-called “red carpet” tickets granting special access to Festival di Tumba.
In addition to the cultural campaigns, the Ministry of Economic Development (MEO) has announced that it will issue temporary permits for the sale of food and other items during the Carnival period. Sales will be allowed through ambulant vending or stands, subject to conditions related to hygiene and proper licensing. For Carnival events in Banda Bou, applications for these temporary permits must be submitted by January 30.
With these combined measures, the government aims to encourage cultural participation and creativity while also ensuring that economic activity around Carnival is properly regulated and conducted in an orderly manner.