WILLEMSTAD – The annual October 3 commemoration of Curaçao national hero Tula and his fellow freedom fighters should no longer depend on incidental funding, according to MAN-PIN Member of Parliament Suzy Camelia-Römer, who is calling on the government to provide structural financial support for the national observance.
Camelia-Römer has asked Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Sithree van Heydoorn to clarify the government’s position during question time in the Curaçao Parliament.
The annual commemoration is organized by Asosiashon Promoshon Konsenshi Istóriko (APKI). Camelia-Römer wants to know whether the government will provide funding this year for the March of Light, transportation for schoolchildren, logistics, sound and lighting, security and compensation for participating artists, young people and volunteers.
More broadly, she wants the government to establish permanent financial support for APKI and the October 3 activities instead of requiring organizers to seek funding each year.
October 3 marks the day in 1795 when Tula was executed following the major uprising of enslaved people that began on August 17 of that year.
Curaçao formally rehabilitated Tula and other leaders of the uprising in 2010, restoring their honor and good name. Tula was also officially declared a national hero of Curaçao. In 2023, the Netherlands granted Tula posthumous rehabilitation and explicitly recognized the justice of his struggle against slavery.
Camelia-Römer argues that the October 3 observance should therefore not be treated simply as another cultural event, but as a national commemoration carrying historical and moral significance.
The parliamentarian points to the “Siklo di Restourashon,” established by the Curaçao government in 2020. The framework identifies seven dates connected to slavery, freedom and human rights. They include August 17, marking the beginning of the 1795 uprising, and October 3 as a day of rehabilitation and tribute to the freedom fighters.
Camelia-Römer also argues that the government has a legal responsibility to recognize and commemorate the date. However, the documents cited do not establish that this automatically creates a legal obligation for the government to provide APKI or the annual commemoration with a specific amount of funding.
APKI is again organizing activities surrounding the October 3 observance this year. Previous commemorations have included a mourning march, spiritual reflection, a flag ceremony and wreath-laying.
The historical significance of October 3 gained additional recognition in 2023 when the Dutch government formally rehabilitated Tula. The Netherlands acknowledged the legitimacy of his struggle against slavery and expressed regret and shame over the treatment of Tula and other freedom fighters by the Dutch authorities at the time.
Camelia-Römer says Curaçao itself must now ensure that the commemoration receives lasting institutional support.
Her proposal would effectively move the October 3 observance away from dependence on ad hoc funding and toward a recurring place within the government’s cultural and commemorative budget.