Knowing our history is knowing ourselves. The history of Aruba is a treasure shaped by generations of people who, through their effort, sacrifice, and perseverance, contributed to the development of our island. Preserving these stories is a shared responsibility, because they form part of our identity and help us better understand where we come from and how we can build our future.
For that reason, as Members of Parliament, we would like to congratulate and express our sincere appreciation to Mr. Edgar “Eddy” Ras for the publication of his book “Willem Rasmijn.” During the presentation at the National Library, we were present to show our appreciation for the beautiful work he has accomplished.
The book tells the story of the young Willem Rasmijn, who discovered gold in Aruba, and the great gold rush that this discovery brought with it. Through his research and dedication, Mr. Eddy Ras has given new life to Willem Rasmijn and rescued an important part of our past.
A work like this requires time, patience, and dedication to search through, analyze, and transform historical documents into an accessible narrative. The author brings to life information that could otherwise remain locked away in archives and ensures it becomes part of our collective memory.
We thank Mr. Eddy Ras and his siblings for their effort, and we hope that “Willem Rasmijn” will inspire more people to investigate and document the stories of their families, neighborhoods, and communities. Aruba still has many stories that deserve to be told, and each publication helps prevent our memory from being lost forever.
Congratulations and appreciation to Edgar “Eddy” Ras for his valuable contribution to Aruba’s literature and history.
