Washington (Top40 Charts / Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands) The Governor of Aruba, His Excellency Fredis Refunjol, the Queens Museum of Art (QMA) and the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) will celebrate the work and life accomplishments of Aruba's national icon Juan Chabaya (Padu) Lampe with an 'Homage to Padu' program at the QMA, in Flushing Meadows,
Corona Park, Queens, NY, on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 from 3 - 6 p.m.
Documentary Filmmaker Rebecca Roos will present various documentaries that highlight aspects of Padu Lampe's 92 years of life, alongside museum curators who will showcase Padu's artwork among the 'Kingdoms of this World' section of the Caribbean Crossroads of the World exhibit at Queens Museum of Art. The homage will culminate with a live musical performance by Aruban Pianist Jonathan Vieira. The event is free and open to all.
Through his music and compositions, Padu Lampe became a well-known pianist and later composed a waltz with lyrics that became the Aruban
National Anthem titled, "Aruba Dushi Tera." Famously named the 'Aruban Father of Culture,' Padu Lampe is also an acclaimed writer and painter who exhibited at New York's World Fair of 1939 at the exact same location in Flushing Meadows,
Corona Park, Queens, NY, a distinction that only a few Caribbean artists have achieved.
"Transcending both island and political borders, Padu has become a representative of Caribbean Culture and now serves as our symbolic Father of Culture," said The Governor of Aruba, His Excellency Fredis Refunjol. "I am very pleased the Queens Museum of Art has decided to host this special tribute to Padu and we welcome locals and visitors to join us and explore Aruba's rich culture at the Museum."
Home to one of the most well-known artists in the Caribbean, Aruba is a prime example of a cultural melting pot. With more than 90 nationalities, the island has been a source of cultural convergence reflected in the country's many languages, music, art and culinary traditions.
"Aruba, like Queens, is a multi-cultural and multi-lingual place, a true crossroads of European, American, African, and Asian traditions. Padu's music and paintings are a testament to how that hybridity becomes the basis for the development of distinctive cultural forms," suggests Prerana Reddy, QMA's director of public events.
Aruba is a constituent and autonomous part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and offers more than just sun, sand, year-round cooling trade winds and an average temperature of 82 degrees, as it boasts a tremendous array of cultural events annually. From the Caribbean Sea Jazz Festival and the Aruba International Film Festival to Carnival and community-wide events at local art galleries and museums, Aruba is at the epicenter of artistic expression. The 'Homage to Padu' clearly celebrates Padu's contribution to Aruban and Caribbean cultural development.
For more information on the 'Homage to Padu' program at Queens Museum of Art, call 718-592-9700 or visit queensmuseum.org. For more information on the Caribbean Crossroads of the World Exhibit visit caribbeancrossroads.org. To learn more about Aruba visit www.aruba.com.
About the
Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
For more than 400 years, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States have been joined by the values of freedom, justice and an entrepreneurial spirit. A vibrant economic force, the Netherlands is also the third largest investor in
America and a reliable trade and investment partner to the U.S. The Royal Netherlands Embassy, Dutch Consulates General and Honorary Consuls in the U.S. promote strong bilateral relations between the United States and the Netherlands in the areas of peace and stability; international law; energy and climate; water management; international human rights; and creative industries. The Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United States: Two countries, one spirit united by values, history and a vision of the future.
