Margriet & Pieter inaugurate Aruban National Museum & Park

Continuing with their official visit to Aruba, HRH Princess Margriet and Professor Pieter van Vollenhoven inaugurated both the Aruba National Archeological Museum (MANA) and the Arikok National Park last Sunday, July 26th.

First on the agenda was a trip to the Arikok National Park, which covers 18% of the island nation. The royal pair visited the park to inaugurate its new visitor’s centre, the final installment of the park’s three-year renovations. Wearing a bright blue jacket over a patterned skirt, Margriet officially opened the centre before she and her husband took a brief tour.

The evening continued for the pair with the inauguration of the “spectacular” museum in Oranjestad, the Aruban capital. The event occurred on a grand scale, with a program of performances by both local and international artists capping off the royal inauguration. Once again, the royals given a tour of the museum. MANA is now open to the public, who can view various interactive displays which offer a glimpse into 5,000 years of the history of the region.

Several engagements were also undertaken earlier this week, and on Wednesday July 29th the Professor awarded the Kingdom Compliment Award during his visit to Saba and St Eustatius. The winner of the annual award for 2009 was the Saba Comprehensive School (SCS), who were awarded with 20,000NAf (Netherlands Antilles Florin) and a sculpture made of stone by Curaçao artist Hortense Brouwn. At the ceremony, SCS student Desmond Caines played a piano piece for the Professor. In his speech, Pieter complimented the school on their twin-school project with the Fioretti College in Lisse, stating that it helps both sets of students “[to] enlarge their world and learn that diversity enriches life.”

Filed under The Netherlands
Tagged Aruba, Awards, Official Visit, Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Prof. Pieter van Vollenhoven.