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July 10, 2008
bron Saba News Agency
 Curacao nationals residing on Saba and many Sabans that have lived and worked on Curacao celebrated Curacao flag day on Saba on Saturday, July 5th 2008 in a grand style. The event started off with a motorcade from the Juancho Yrausquin Airport to the Princess Juliana Sports field in The Bottom.
Attending the official first ever Curacao flag day ceremony and also participating in the official ceremony were Lt. Governor of Saba, Mr. Jonathan Johnson and Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Mr. Christopher Johnson. The event was organized by the Curacao-Saba Social Cultural Committee under the leadership of Mr. Hensley Martes.
Master of Ceremonies for the ceremony was Dave Levenstone who welcomed everyone and said that it was a pleasure to be able to serve as master of ceremonies. He went on to state that many Sabans over the years had moved to Curacao in search of work and to also further their education and he thanked the community of Curacao for allowing the many Sabans to make that island their home. We will never forget the hospitality that we have received from the people of Curacao over the years. The islands of the Netherlands Antilles are breaking up, but that does not mean that the people of the islands will become enemies. Our political system has forced us to break up the country we have lived together in for the last 54 years, but we are now moving on to a brighter future. We have accepted the many persons born on Curacao to be a part of our little island and we say thank you to them also for making Saba there home. Together as a people we will continue to work together maybe in a different manner but we will always remain brothers and sisters of each other. Levenstone reminded the gathering that many Sabans has made a name for themselves on the island of Curacao and he mentioned names such as Captain Leo Chance, Mrs. Maria Liberia-Peters, Mr. Andre Chance and not forgetting the famous baseball player Andrew Jones and we can also claim part of Mr. Reinier Lijfrock. Levenstone said that he would be doing dishonesty if he did not mention the name of former Senator and politician Mr. Will Johnson.
 Lt. Governor of Saba Mr. Jonathan Johnson said that he will always remember July 2nd as this was his first official day in office as Lt. Governor of Saba. He congratulated the Curacao community that is presently residing on the island and wished them much success as they continue to celebrate their day amongst the people of Saba. Also addressing the gathering were Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Mr. Chris Johnson who said Feliz dia di Korsow. I am extremely happy to have been approached to say a few words here today. Let me congratulate the people of Curacao on their day, we are honored to celebrate amongst you. The Netherlands Antilles is breaking up but that brotherly and sisterly love will not be breaking up. Our family ties will remain for many years to come. Also addressing the gathering were State Secretary with responsibilities for the Solidarity Funds in the Emily de Jongh-Elhage Cabinet Mrs. Shamara Nicholson-Linzey. Mrs. Nicholson-Linzey congratulated the Curacao/Saba Social Cultural committee for coming forward with the idea to organize Curacao flag day on Saba for the very first time. I salute the committee on realizing this in such a very short time. The people of Saba has decided to move away from the Central Government and become a public entity of the Netherlands a decision which we all respect. However the people of Curacao and the people of Saba has a long history which will never go unnoticed.
Also addressing the gathering was the vice president of the committee Mr. Willis Lucas who thanked everyone for their cooperation and support, we were able to put this together in only three weeks and we are happy for the cooperation. We can already inform you that next year it will be even bigger and better as we try to share our Curacao culture amongst the people of Saba.
 Also speaking on behalf of the island of Curacao were former Tumba King of Curacao Mr. Reinier Lijfrock who said that he was happy to be visiting the island for the second time and this time as a representative from the island of Curacao. He reminded everyone present that he was born on Curacao but his grand mother hails from the beautiful island of Saba . He congratulated the people of Saba for allowing the many people from Curacao to be part of the island.
The invocation was done by Ms. Ramonda Hanze and the Curacao national anthem was sung by Mr. Reinier Lijfrock and the Saba anthem was sung by Mr. Chulani Levenstone. The Curacao flag and the Saba flag was also hoisted at the ceremony.
The cultural program was also very much accepted by the community of Saba. The folkloric dance group "Mama Curacao" traveled to the island of Saba and put on a beautiful show for the many persons that attended the ceremony. Mr. Reinier Lijfrock also sang many of his hit songs to the delight of the many persons in attendance.
Following the official ceremony the people of Saba was able to sample the many dishes from the island of Curacao which was a great success. Over 300 persons were treated to Kolo Stoba, Papaya Stoba, Kabritu Stoba, Snybonchi stoba, Komkomber stoba, Yambo, Tutu, Tutu ku bakkijow, Kari kari ku pan, Sopi kabritu, Sopi piska and Sopi Yuana. The various dishes went down good as many were able to sample the dishes. Music for the celebration was provided by the "Occasional Band' and Power Sound System International.
the celebration came to a sudden end due to a power failure of NV. GEBE at around 7.30 p.m. on Saturday evening.
President of the committee Mr. Martes told Saba News Agency that preparations for next year will start as of July 13th and he intends to even make it much bigger and we will work on trying to bring one of Curacao leading bands to the island next year for the celebration. Already all eyes are on bringing Perfecta Son or Fuerza Dos to Saba. I do not have enough words of gratitude for the members of my committee and the many persons that assisted us. We also want to thank the people of Saba for granting us the opportunity to celebrate our day with them. The celebration was a total success, we did not expect this type of response from the community and we are forever grateful.
The Curacao flag day celebration can be considered one of the best ever held days of any island or country on Saba.
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