Today, the 10th of October, marks the seventh anniversary of Curaçao’s birth as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On the 10th of October of the year 2010, 10-10-10, Curaçao obtained its ‘status aparte’ within the kingdom just as Aruba had obtained it in 1986.

This meant that on that day Curaçao ceased to be a part of the constituent country within the kingdom of the Netherlands called the Netherlands Antilles. A country which included the other islands of the Dutch Caribbean: Bonaire, St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius (Statia) and formerly Aruba.

The date 10-10-10 came to be, following the referendums that took place on the Dutch Caribbean islands in 2005. In those referendums, the citizens of those islands voted on whether they wanted to remain within the Netherlands Antilles or leave it and acquire a new status in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The citizens of Curaçao and St. Maarten voted to become countries that have a ‘status aparte’ – which meant that, just like Aruba in 1986, they would become autonomous countries within the Kingdom – while the citizens of Bonaire and Saba voted to become special municipalities of the Netherlands. The citizens of St. Eustatius voted to remain in the Netherlands Antilles but because this was no longer possible, the country received the status which had obtained the second most votes from its citizens: to become a special municipality of the Netherlands.

And so, on 10-10-10 the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist and Curaçao was reborn as an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A country with its own country code and a country which we can now proudly call ‘Pais Kòrsou’.

So today take some extra time to really appreciate everything this beautiful island nation has to offer (although this should happen every other day of the year as well *wink*). Go out and explore the beaches and nature of Band’abou, have yourself a “pastechi”, a “kala” or some “pinda herebé”, take a stroll through Otrobanda and Punda and have yourself an authentic Curaçaoan lunch.

Go enjoy the burgeoning beauty in Scharloo Abou, go laugh heartily with your friends as you have a drink at a “Snèk”, go have a barbecue with your family at Caracasbaai while you discuss life on the island as you sit on beach chairs, listening to “Atardi” by Rudy Plaate or “Plegaria” by Chin Behilia. And when you’re done digesting all of the sights, tastes and sounds, have yourself a “tèrt”, a “panseiku” or a “ko’i lechi”.

Curaçao is lovely, Curaçao is dushi. Behold its beauty and savor all it has to offer.

Enjoy Curaçao’s seventh annual Dia di Pais Kòrsou!