(Oranjestad)—Monuments Fund Foundation, or Stichting Monumentenfonds Aruba (SMFA), commemorated its 30th anniversary during a special ceremony at the Community Church, where the main focus was on heritage preservation and the future restoration of one of Aruba’s most recognizable monuments.
During the evening, representatives of the Government of Aruba, SMFA, the Protestant Community, and the Community Church Foundation gathered to officially mark the next phase in the preliminary process related to the future development and preservation of the Community Church.
According to legal clarifications provided afterward, the documentation signed during the ceremony forms part of a preliminary administrative process and does not yet represent a finalized formal transfer. The legal process and official registration of the documents will continue during the next administrative phase.
An important part of the program was a presentation by outgoing director Anne Witsenburg, who shared the restoration vision for the Community Church and emphasized the urgent need to take action to prevent further deterioration of the historic building.
According to Witsenburg, the restoration project will be developed in four phases. The first phase focuses on urgent work such as roof repairs and addressing structural issues. Other phases include improvements to facilities, restoration of the outdoor areas, and ultimately the complete restoration of the Community Church.
The ceremony also served as a moment of recognition for the work SMFA has carried out over the past 30 years in preserving monuments and historic buildings throughout Aruba.
Savaneta center of Open Monuments Day
Savaneta became the center of history, culture, and heritage celebrations during the official opening of Open Monuments Day 2026 on Sunday.
The opening took place at FUNARI and began with a symbolic ceremony in which a key representing SMFA was passed from hand to hand among the youth, community stalwarts, Prime Minister Mike Eman, and representatives of the organizations involved. The act symbolized the shared responsibility of opening the doors to our history and continuing to preserve our heritage for future generations.
SMFA’s new director Petra Davids opened the morning program, highlighting that the foundation owns 19 protected monuments and is responsible for their care, management, and maintenance. In addition, the foundation organizes various activities throughout the year with the goal of promoting awareness and education about Aruba’s monuments. Davids emphasized that Open Monuments Day is one of the most important activities in this effort.
The director noted that this year’s edition focuses on Savaneta, a place of exceptional historical value to Aruba. Savaneta was the island’s first administrative center and still preserves historic monuments, cultural landscapes, and traditions that form an important part of Aruba’s national identity.
