(Oranjestad)—This year, Aruba is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its Anthem and Flag. The first time Aruba raised its flag and sang its national anthem in 1976 was an extremely important occasion for the identity and history of our country. How was this celebrated?
The first celebration on March 18 began with a walk that ended at the stadium—at that time called Wilhelmina Stadium, now Guillermo Prospero Trinidad Stadium—where everyone gathered to raise the flag and sing the national anthem officially for the first time. The master of ceremonies was Mr. Tico Kuiperi. The choir of Maybeline Arends sang the anthem, while the young Anthony Croes and Angelique Croes raised the flag.
Anthony and Angelique, together with the scouts, practiced for several days on how to raise the flag properly in order to follow all protocol and show respect for the national symbol.
Police estimates indicated that around 10,000 people were present at the stadium to witness this historic moment. Photographs show the magnitude of the celebrations and the expressions of national pride among everyone who witnessed the birth of our country’s autonomy.
At the Arubiana-Caribiana Department, and in the online archive of the National Library, many photos and pieces of information about this historic ceremony can be found.
Inaugural Ceremony of Status Aparte
Aruban musician Etty Toppenberg sang the national anthem for the first time during the inaugural ceremony of Status Aparte.
Edward Alexander “Etty” Toppenberg played an important role on January 1, 1986. That day marked the beginning of Aruba as an autonomous country. Etty, then 41 years old, sang the national anthem of Aruba at the moment when the Netherlands Antilles flag was lowered and the sovereign flag of Aruba was raised.
In a 2006 interview with Bon Dia Aruba, Toppenberg said he felt deeply honored when he was asked to sing the national anthem during the New Year moment that introduced Status Aparte.
“A very, very great honor, and I felt like I was almost singing with tears in my eyes. My whole family was there—my father, even my mother—and all my friends were there. They all left their New Year celebrations at home to go in front of the government building to see how great the ceremony was,” he said.
