On Tuesday 30 June 2020, Fundashon Plataforma Kultural celebrates its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, the foundation has initiated many cultural projects and built the cultural meeting place Hòfi Kultural in Antriol Pabou. The foundation contributes to a creative, inclusive and more social society through its activities by allowing local residents and artists to meet, inspire and learn from each other. Through ten highlights we look back at what we have achieved in ten years:
1. Archivo Boneiru opens up about the past
In 2010, in collaboration with FuHiKuBo, the fundashon started the project Archivo Boneiru in which Boi Antoin's collection of books, photographs and magazines was digitized and opened up to the public through www.archivoboneiru.com. Since then, lots of historical documents can be found on this website by everyone.
2. Cultural education training courses to (music)teachers
In 2013, Fundashon Plataforma Kultural organised a training for all music teachers on Bonaire. The training was given by Carlo Balemans, affiliated with the Brassband School and Codarts. There was so much enthusiasm and need for training among the musicians that we always had the desire to be able to offer more training. We were therefore pleased to be able to offer training to 22 participants of the BES Islands on cultural education in collaboration with the LKCA in March 2020. This training gives a boost to more cultural education in primary education in the BES Islands.
3. Cultural education for children
In 2014 and 2015, Fundashon Plataforma Kultural, together with Jong Bonaire and Fesbo, taught music to 150 children for two years as part of the programme Kinderen Maken Muziek. The children played drumband, kwarta and barí. On Wilhelmina square a final presentation was held twice, where all 150 children played together on boomwhackers.
In 2014, the project Pone Barí Ronka started in collaboration with Mangazina di Rei. Kinderen learned from the older generation how to make and play a barí. They were also given an explanation of the cultural context of the instrument. A beautiful documentary with the same name has also been made during the project. The project was presented at Dia di Barí in December 2014. These projects asked for a follow-up to music lessons for children on a more structural basis. That's why in 2016 we started weekly music lessons at Kolegio San Bernardo to 60 children. This led to participation in the Impuls Muziekonderwijs programme which takes place in three primary schools from 2018 to 2021, Kolegio San Bernardo and de Pelikaan at Bonaire and Sacred Heart Primary School on Saba. We organised beginning- and final presentations in the schools and training courses for expertise-promotion to teachers in the three schools.
In 2017 and 2018, at Hòfi Kultural also the children's activities Kindermuziekspeeltuin and Rugzak vol Talent, took place, as part of Kansen voor alle kinderen. Children learned to play an instrument, made kites and theatre and learned to make and perform music together. Under the name Bonaire Vibes, young people wrote their own rap lyrics and made video clips with Bon Irie.
4. Construction of Hòfi Kultural
In February 2016, the construction of Hòfi Kultural and BonAIResidence started with the first stone laid by Louis Posner and Hyacinta Mercelina and under the guidance of contractor Javier Boezem. We have imported sabal palm leaves from the Dominican Republic, with the help of Bonaire Logistics, which covers the roof of the palapa. In the autumn of 2017, contractor BonNed was involved in the completion of the construction. They have also partly sponsored their work. Hòfi Kultural offers a beautiful place where everyone is welcome and residents of Bonaire inspire each other creatively. BonAIResidence is a residence where artists can stay who want to immerse their work in a creative and inspiring environment.
5. Princess Beatrix visits Hòfi Kultural
The highlight of 2018 was the visit of Princess Beatrix to Hòfi Kultural. Fifty participating elders, children and young people gave various presentations for the Princess and for the more than 100 visitors. For weeks the participants practiced for the dance and music presentation by the older participants. A music trio with the sinfonia (kind of accordion) brought a real serenade. The children gave a maskarada presentation and the bus painted by youngsters was presented. Children painted kalebas and youngsters did their self-written rap for the Princess. Princess Beatrix unveiled a work of art created by Gibi Bomba. It was a great honor for all of us to receive her.
6. Activities for the elderly
At Villa Antonia we started organizing dance and music activities in 2016. Older people told each other stories using old photographs from Archivo Boneiru's archive. From 2017 onwards, the activities took place at Hòfi Kultural and since then many older people have found their way to our meeting place. Older residents enjoy the creative activities, compose their own songs, for example Eddy Campos or learn to play an instrument. Regular presentations are given, at Hòfi Kultural itself or at primary schools or at elderly daycare centres. Still, free music lessons for Bonairean residents are accessible to all on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Participants can also borrow an instrument to practice at home.
7. Maskarada
Together with Fundashon Nawati and Forma, in 2016, a group of youngsters learned about the New Year tradition Maskarada and gave three presentations in schools. The youngsters made their own masks and went out dressed up, accompanied by professional musicians. Also in the years that followed we organized Maskarada activities for children, together with Annette 'Magaly' Sumter. In the months leading up to the new year, a group of children prepared a Maskarada presentation every year. With these activities we facilitated that the elderly can pass on the tradition to the younger generation.
8. Walk-in for everyone
In 2018 we started with a walk-in afternoon on Friday afternoon, where the participants of the weekly activities come together to practice and make music or paint together. Every Friday afternoon also an elderly band played music at Hòfi Kultural. In 2020, the walk-in afternoon will take place again from September on every Wednesday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. Tourists visiting Bonaire are also welcome to meet Bonairean residents.
9. Street art in collaboration with Curaçao and Rotterdam
In 2018, the project ‘Passantenkunstenaars in de Cariben: Dolf Henkes uitgelicht’ took place. Our foundation developed teaching materials and an educational programme for students in Curaçao and Bonaire. In November, street artist Vinz100 stayed in BonAIResidence and created four murals on Bonaire with 110 schoolchildren.
In 2020 we started the project Street Colors Bonaire, in collaboration with Rewriters Rotterdam, a project in which youngsters and MBO students get acquainted with street art and develop their talent in this area. 15 Youngsters, are 1.5 years coached by local artists/coaches who will help them develop their talents. We also receive 4 international artists at Hòfi Kultural in BonAIResidence. On the website www.streetcolorsbonaire.com you can soon find more information about the project.
10. Thanks!
This initiative is a broad cooperation within the Kingdom with support from both the European Netherlands and Bonaire. From the Netherlands, the DOEN Foundation has been an important support from the very beginning for Hòfi Kultural. The Samenwerkende Fondsen, Fonds voor Cultuurparticipatie and Fonds 21 support many activities. From Bonaire, the Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire also supports this initiative every year. But also entrepreneurs, individuals and volunteers support Hòfi Kultural with resources, equipment or their time. We would like to thank everyone wholeheartedly.