A delegation from St. Maarten recently paid a working visit to the cultural department of the Public Entity Bonaire: SKAL (Sekshon di Kultura, Arte i Literatura). The visit centered on establishing connections and exchanging knowledge in the fields of culture and heritage within the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport of St. Maarten, Melissa Gumbs, was welcomed by Bonaire’s cultural development coordinator, Alfrida Martis, who provided a tour of the museum and highlighted ongoing projects and initiatives related to cultural heritage and community development.
The delegation then held discussions with SKAL staff and Commissioner Clark Abraham. Topics included the further professionalization of SKAL, sustainable cooperation between the islands, and the question of how culture can contribute to strengthening sustainable tourism. Both parties emphasized the importance of joint efforts to preserve and enhance the region’s cultural identity and heritage value.
The visit concluded with a shared intention to explore deeper cooperation between St. Maarten and Bonaire and to continue investing in a strong, future-oriented cultural sector. The Public Entity Bonaire expresses its gratitude to Minister Melissa Gumbs and her delegation for their interest in SKAL and its staff.
Press release: Public Entity Bonaire
