The Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands are shaped by a shared history and cultural influences. In many aspects, the islands are more similar to each other than they are different.

Over the past centuries, a significant amount of information has been published about this shared heritage, ranging from dry reports through a colonial lens in the nineteenth century to modern educational programs developed on the islands themselves in recent years.

To promote knowledge exchange between the islands and improve the accessibility of information, educational materials, and activities related to Dutch-Caribbean heritage, the Monument Foundation Curaçao has taken the initiative to develop a search engine. Together with partners on all six islands, the goal is to provide the most comprehensive inventory possible on heritage in the broadest sense of the word.

Information

Under the section ‘information,’ you can find publications, links to specific databases, websites of heritage institutions on the islands, and more. You can filter by publication language, type of publication, subject, and the area/island the information pertains to. Whether you are conducting research, preparing a presentation, or simply want to learn more about the island you are going to visit, here you can find the information you are looking for.

Education

In 2017, commissioned by the Curaçao National Commission for UNESCO, an inventory of educational materials and programs related to built and archaeological heritage on Curaçao was compiled. One of the key recommendations was to establish a digital platform to enhance the accessibility of these materials. This section of the website not only shares existing educational programs but also gives education professionals from the various islands the opportunity to share materials they have developed with a broader audience of teachers. This way, educators across the six islands can build on each other’s information and methods to effectively transfer the necessary knowledge in the classroom.

Activities

All the islands offer a wide range of cultural and heritage-related activities. These activities can be purely informative, such as a lecture or guided tour, or they can have a festive character, with celebrations rooted in the cultural heritage of the islands at the forefront.

Broad Support

All heritage organizations and education/heritage professionals on the islands can contribute to supplementing and validating the information on this site. To contribute as a partner you can send an email to info@dutchcaribbeanheritage.org.

Herens/cia | Heritage | Erfgoed is made possible with support from, among others, the Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied, Mondriaan Fonds, and UNESCO Participation Programme.