young people presented the artworks they created during the project Kibra i Konstruí: Un Biahe den mi Rais (Breaking and Building: A Journey into My Roots) at Mangazina di Rei. In this art and heritage project, they explored how the history of slavery still influences identity, family patterns, and mental health today. Through painting, spoken word, and stop-motion films, they shared their experiences, knowledge, and personal stories with family, friends, involved organizations, and other visitors.
During the project, the youth embarked on a journey into their cultural backgrounds. They learned more about the history of slavery and explored how this past still impacts their identity and mental health.
History, Reflection, and Art Over the last few months, the youth followed an educational and creative trajectory where history, personal reflection, and art came together. During workshops, they gained more insight into how the history of slavery can still influence families, education, and how people handle emotions and seeking help. Talking about this with each other created space for recognition, understanding, and personal development.
Each workshop consisted of a history lesson, a group conversation about mental health, and art. The youth worked with one of the three art forms: painting, spoken word, or stop-motion film. In a safe environment, they discussed themes such as identity, family patterns, connection, and resilience.
Inspirational Trip to Curaçao As part of the project, the youth also took an inspirational trip to Curaçao. There, they visited museums, cultural institutions, and various historical sites. The trip provided the youth with the opportunity to experience heritage and history in a different way and to dialogue with each other about it. These experiences helped them connect the past to their own lives. The knowledge and experience from the workshops formed the basis for the artworks presented during the exhibition.
Connection and Empowerment With the exhibition on June 20, the project reached a festive and significant conclusion. The youth were given the space to make their voices heard and share their work with the Bonairean community.
Kibra i Konstruí: Un Biahe den mi Rais provided a space for encounter, recognition, and personal growth. The project stimulated open conversations about topics that are clearly not always easy to discuss, such as intergenerational trauma, identity, and mental health. By connecting history, culture, and art, the youth were given tools to better understand their own experiences and make them discussable. By reflecting on the past together and creating space for present-day stories, the project contributed to connection and resilience within the Bonairean community.
Collaboration The Public Entity Bonaire (OLB), the sections SKAL (Culture, Art and Literature) and GGD Bonaire (Public Health), executed this project together with Mental Health Caribbean (MHC). Kibra i Konstruí: Un Biahe den mi Rais is part of the Action Agenda on the Slavery Past of Bonaire and falls under the program for Strengthening Caribbean Heritage and Cultural Exchange. Our partners Public Library Bonaire, FuHiKuBo, Glenn Helberg, Studio Pineda, Marz World, Ovier Maduro, and Mangazina di Rei also helped make this project possible.
