The Public Entity Bonaire announces that Elfried Francisco Jozephia, Lilian Paula-Crestian, and Cliff Bruno Frans are becoming the three new honorary citizens of Bonaire. On Sunday, September 6, 2026, during the protocol ceremony of Bonaire Day, they will be officially appointed as Honorary Citizens. They receive this special recognition for their years of dedication and valuable contribution to Bonaire and the Bonairean community.
The three future Honorary Citizens have each, in their own way and in different fields, committed themselves to our community. Following their nomination, the Executive Council decided to appoint them as Honorary Citizens of Bonaire on Bonaire Day.
Elfried Francisco Jozephia Elfried Francisco Jozephia has dedicated himself to children and youth in Bonaire for more than fifteen years. Through the sport of karate, he not only provided young people with sports guidance, but also structure and discipline, helping them with their personal development. His dedication went beyond giving karate lessons. He would pick the children up from home and bring them back home after training. He organized competitions and provided karate uniforms for children from families with fewer financial resources. He did not ask for any compensation for his dedication. With his long-standing involvement, Jozephia has made a valuable contribution to youth, sports, and the Bonairean community.
Lilian Paula-Crestian For more than 36 years, Lilian Paula-Crestian has dedicated herself to the Bonairean community. Her dedication focused primarily on education, youth development, our Papiamentu language, and social work. She worked, among other things, as a Papiamentu teacher, examination coordinator, and mentor to youth. In addition to her professional work, Lilian Paula-Crestian has voluntarily dedicated her knowledge, experience, and time to our community for many years. With this, she has contributed to the educational and personal development of different generations of Bonairean youth. Through her long-standing involvement with education, youth, and our community, she has made a valuable and permanent contribution to Bonaire.
Cliff Bruno Frans Cliff Bruno Frans has dedicated himself to the Bonairean community for more than sixteen years. Through platforms such as Big Papa, he took photographs and covered news, cultural events, and developments on Bonaire, sharing them with our community. In this way, he also helped Bonaireans living outside of Bonaire stay connected to our island. In addition, Cliff Frans has dedicated himself to documenting Bonairean heritage, including working alongside Bòi Antoin. By documenting history, images, and other components of our cultural heritage, he has helped preserve valuable knowledge for current and future generations. With this, Cliff Frans has made a valuable contribution to the visibility and preservation of Bonaire’s culture, history, and identity.
During the protocol ceremony of Bonaire Day on September 6, Elfried Jozephia, Lilian Paula-Crestian, and Cliff Frans will be officially appointed as Honorary Citizens of Bonaire. With this special recognition, Bonaire expresses its appreciation and gratitude for their years of dedication and involvement. Bonaire thanks them for everything each of them has meant in their own way to our island and our community.
