A book can tell a story. But it can do something even more important: it can help a new generation understand where Aruba came from. With that reflection, PPA Member of Parliament Eduard Pieters congratulated Edgar “Eddie” Ras on the publication of his new book, Willem Rasmijn: story of his life and of the Aruban gold fever.
The historical-literary work connects history with fiction and serves as a homage to Aruba’s past, particularly to Willem Rasmijn, the young man whose name became forever linked with the discovery of gold in Rooi Fluit and the subsequent Aruban gold fever.
A discovery that changed Aruba
In 1824, Willem Rasmijn found gold in Rooi Fluit. This discovery set in motion a new period in the economic and social history of Aruba, as many people began searching for gold, especially along the North Coast area. It is precisely this connection between a person, a discovery, and the transformation of a country that caught Pieters’ attention.
The MP clarified that he has not yet read the complete book. However, based on the information he received, he appreciates how the story is told through a character and shows how the discovery and exploitation of gold influenced the development of Aruba and the lives of its inhabitants. “It is a book that reflects our ancestors, how and what we are today.”
History and fiction to give the past a voice
The author’s intention is precisely not to let Willem Rasmijn remain just a name in history. The book combines history and fiction to take the reader on a tale of discovery, struggle, dignity, and heritage, while connecting Aruba’s past with the memory and identity of its people. For Pieters, this also opens an educational opportunity.
As he expressed, a child can learn, in a simpler and more accessible way, what our ancestors went through.
“Make history accessible to teachers”
Here, Pieters made a concrete call to the Government of Aruba. He hopes that the Government will make good use of such materials and find ways to make them accessible to teachers, so they can share the story of Willem Rasmijn and help children learn more about their own country’s history. The idea is particularly relevant considering that Edgar Ras himself has a long trajectory in education and training: during his 42 years with the Police Force of Aruba, he served, among other roles, as a teacher/instructor and developer of educational materials.
Knowing the past to understand the future
PPA congratulates Edgar Ras on his new book about Willem Rasmijn and advocates for bringing Aruba’s history closer to our children. For Pieters, preserving history is not nostalgia. It is part of shaping a nation. “A country that does not know its history is condemned to repeat the mistakes of the past.” Pieters congratulated Ras personally and on behalf of the PPA faction and the Aruban Patriotic Party.
“Eddie, congratulations on your book.” A congratulation carrying a larger message: gold changed a part of Aruba’s history, but knowing and passing that history on to the next generation is a heritage worth more than gold.
