Despite the challenges of the past year, Stichting Monumentenzorg Curacao has not stopped fighting for heritage preservation on Curacao.
We are proud to present some of the highlights of the past year!
La Moda de Paris
After the heavy rainy season of late 2020, early 2021, many derelict monuments deteriorated quickly. ‘La moda de Paris’ in Otrobanda suffered great damage in December 2020 when the façade of one of its buildings came tumbling down after weeks of heavy rain. After much deliberation with the owners and with partners like Stichting Monumentenfonds Curacao we were able to buy the buildings. We immediately started to stabilize the buildings to prevent further decay. In anticipation of funding and further restoration plans these buildings have now been secured for the immediate future. The ‘spantenbier’ (celebration of reaching the highest point) took place in July 2021.
Glass-in-lead windows St. Thomas College
In March 2021 we assisted in the heritage preservation of eleven of the glass-in-lead windows of the old St. Thomas College, at the SEHOS site. These colorful windows of the early 20th century were under threat due to the poor condition of the building. Heritage expert Gerda Gehlen took the initiative to get them removed, which was funded by Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied and was partially sponsored by Caribbean Maintenance Developers. We made sure the windows are safely stored. Hopefully, they will soon be able to return to their original location, once they and the building have been restored.
New chairman Herbert van der Woude
Former Kooyman CEO Herbert van der Woude took over as chairman of the foundation from Marcel van der Plank in March 2021. Van der Plank was chairman from 2011 until 2021. In this time several large restoration projects were completed, like Landhuis Klein Sta. Martha and Stupi Haltu in Otrobanda. Van der Plank reached the maximum age for the position.
Profound moves to Scharloo
Digital innovation agency Profound moved back to Scharloo in June, where they once started many years ago. This time they return with a full team of digital professional, who took up residence in our building at Scharlooweg 102. We are very happy to welcome growing companies like this in Willemstad. With several interesting buildings still available, we would like to challenge other companies to follow suit and check out our rental offerings.
Looking forward
2022 marks the 25th anniversary of Willemstad UNESCO World Heritage City. Stay pending on the different ways in which this will be commemorated in the coming year.
Behind the scenes many more projects were prepared, started and completed and we are looking forward to another year of building on our heritage preservation, both in Willemstad and beyond. With some large developments looming in our World Heritage City we will keep working on the usability of our inner city, while remaining vigilant. We have been entrusted with the responsibility over a large part of our collective heritage. Tua res agitur – this concerns us all.
We thank you for your trust and support and look forward to continuing the good fight in 2022. Happy Holidays!
