~Over 3,500 inhabitants to sit down to 76 Freedom Meals in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands~
Willemstad:--- Freedom will be celebrated all across the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom on 5 May. On Curaçao, a Freedom Meal will be held at Fort Amsterdam, with the Royal Netherlands Air Force Orchestra and an opportunity to chat to the Governor during the meal, while hundreds of visitors will come together for a community meal on Bonaire. The meals on Saba will take place across the island, from a school to a home for the elderly. Together, these initiatives show how freedom is celebrated in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Ceremonial Freedom Meal at Fort Amsterdam on Curaçao
On Curaçao, the Freedom Meal will have an especially ceremonial feel to it. A large-scale Freedom Meal will be held in the presence of the Governor, next to Fort Amsterdam in the heart of Willemstad.
The occasion will be opened by the Orchestra of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, which will play from the Fort’s balcony – an impressive moment that will literally and figuratively make freedom heard. At the tables, spoken word performer Melanta Ayon will oversee conversations using trilingual dialogue cards, allowing everyone to participate, regardless of their language or background.
Visitors will also be able to view an exhibition on the Second World War in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. The Freedom Meal will take place between 5pm and 8pm on 5 May and is open to all.
Sit down to a meal on 5 May
All over the Dutch Kingdom, people will come together on Liberation Day to celebrate freedom. In 2026, this will happen during 1,500 Freedom Meals. Seventy-six of these will be held in the Caribbean part of the Dutch Kingdom. From Aruba to St. Eustatius, during the Freedom Meals on 5 May conversations will centre around freedom - or the lack of it - and unity.
Growing tradition at Terra Cotta Ranch on Bonaire
Terra Cora Ranch on Bonaire will hold its fifth Freedom Meal this year. The event has grown in popularity each year and attracted 150 visitors this year. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk to each other during an extended Freedom Meal with live music and speeches. The meal will take place between 12.00pm and 3.30pm on 5 May and is open to the public.
Whole of Saba to take part
Saba will host no fewer than six Freedom Meals in different parts of the island. From a school to a home for the elderly and a Sit-down meal open to all: young and old will come together to eat and talk to each other. Alongside the meals, there will also be showings of films on the Second World War in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, while trilingual dialogue cards will help get conversations started.
Library on Aruba encourages open dialogue on 5 May
Visitors will come together to enjoy a Freedom Meal open to the public at Aruba’s library on 5 May. With Freedom Soup and conversations about freedom, the meal - organised by Lieverds Leescafé – will form an easy-access place to connect and exchange ideas.
Conversations about law and freedom on Sint Maarten
In a setting in which people work daily to uphold the law and freedom, participants will talk about themes such as democracy, peace and human rights. The Court of Justice on Sint Maarten is organising this Freedom Meal for its employees.
Freedom Meal connecting people in the garden on Sint Eustatius
The Chamber of Commerce will hold a Freedom Meal open to the public in its garden on Sint Eustatius. Visitors can sit down to a light lunch and Freedom Soup from midday, where the emphasis will be on meeting and talking to others.
There are several options for open-seat tables to attend on May 5th which you can find here.
All the Freedom Meals in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands can be found on the Freedom Meal Map.
The Freedom Meals are an initiative of the National Committee for 4 and 5 May in association with Vfonds.