‘Six Islands in the Sun’, by Richard Gielen and Hans Hermans, offers a vivid and accessible portrait of six Dutch Caribbean islands: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. Through a series of engaging portraits, personal anecdotes, and informative texts, the book gives readers an impression of everyday life across the islands, highlighting both their nature and remarkable architecture. The authors weave together scenes of daily activity with historical context, bringing to life the ways in which the past continues to shape contemporary island cultures.
Special attention is paid to cultural expressions such as music, festivals, and food, emphasizing the diversity and creativity that define island life. The book also touches on social challenges and economic shifts, offering brief reflections on tourism, migration, and heritage preservation.