After dedicating years of his professional career as a police officer while simultaneously drafting and writing books for the police force, government agencies, and the private sector, author Edgar Ras took the initiative to step into the world of fiction and true stories for children and young adults. His first work originates from an experience in a dream.
A dream that became the creative spark The idea for the book did not stem from a predetermined plan, but rather from a dream the author had while sleeping. In the dream, the figure of Willem Rasmijn a character tied to the history of the gold discovery in Aruba appeared before his parents to ask for permission to enter the countryside (cunucu). This experience served as the catalyst the author needed to pick up his pen and start writing again.
What started as a small project for children took a new turn when the author shared the draft with his siblings. At the suggestion of his older brother Wilfred, the project expanded into a more comprehensive book in Papiamento, aiming to bring back to life a true story that had long been forgotten in Aruba.
The writing process was supported by the Ras family, who formed a “reading club” to contribute ideas and refine the content. Far more than a simple schoolbook, the project developed into a publication designed to highlight the adventure of the young boy who found the first piece of gold in a dry creek bed (rooi) while tending to sheep.
To guarantee authenticity and accurate historical and natural context, the author gathered various sources of information and consulted Mrs. Olinda Rasmijn, an expert in Aruban history, flora, and countryside. Mrs. Rasmijn contributed her knowledge to compile and enrich the stories that form part of the final work.
The author emphasized that his style is not that of a historian, but of a writer of historical fiction. His works combine small, real historical dates with fictional elements to make them engaging for readers.
The book focuses on the era prior to World War II. The author plans to continue with a series of similar publications, including books dedicated to the Caquetio indigenous people and Aruban family histories.
This new book, along with his other projects, is now available to the general public at the Van Dorp bookstore. It is an invitation to the Aruban people, especially the youth, to learn about and enjoy our history and legends through Papiamento literature.
