PHILIPSBURG:--- The Where Culture Lives project has successfully completed its survey phase across Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten. The project team extends sincere appreciation to the public who participated, and in particular to the island coordinators and surveyors whose dedication ensured strong community engagement across all six islands.
Titled “Your Voice, Where Culture Lives,” the survey explored how arts, culture, and heritage shape everyday life on the ABCSSS islands. It invited the public to share insights on how they engage with culture in their communities; where culture takes place, what supports it, and what barriers still exist.
The survey phase was conducted within a focused timeframe, from the end of November 2025 through early January 2026, following the focus groups held in August and September last year. Despite the busy end-of-year period, all islands completed their data collection on time. Participation ranged from 40 to 150 respondents per island, reflecting island size, representation, and the effectiveness of local outreach.
Overall, participants responded positively and shared clear priorities. Many pointed to the need for more funding and training opportunities for creative entrepreneurs, alongside more accessible spaces to practice, develop, and showcase art and heritage. Others highlighted the importance of improving cultural education in schools.
With the survey phase now complete, the project team has begun interpreting and analysing the results. They will come together at the end of January, and this collaborative interpretation phase aims to move beyond numbers alone, giving meaning to the findings
within their cultural, social, and island-specific contexts. The outcomes will feed directly into island-based validation sessions scheduled for early April, where draft findings will be discussed with artists, cultural and heritage organisations, government representatives, knowledge partners, and other key stakeholders.
Participants will then offer feedback, which will help to strengthen community ownership of the results and also support the development of recommendations for future cultural policy and investments across all islands.
“As a lead team and as researchers, we are committed to ensuring that the findings form a shared foundation,” says Jorien Wuite, project lead. “This exploration gives us some great insights on cultural mapping across the Dutch Caribbean, and we want the results to meaningfully support future action as well as island-specific policy priorities for government officials and other stakeholders. That is why we are happy and proud to have received support for this additional phase with validation sessions, more co-creative discussions, and broad representation.”
“The insights gathered through this research will help us understand what makes each island’s culture and heritage distinct, while also allowing for careful comparisons that honour differences and illuminate shared patterns,” said Ludmila Duncan, one of the lead researchers. “That balance is essential if cultural research is to be both reliable and impactful.”
The Where Culture Lives team is also proud to announce the development of the Where Culture Lives Prize, a supportive competition on each island that will invite artists and cultural practitioners to submit work celebrating cultural life and creatively expressing ‘where culture lives’. This competition is set to be like no other; grounded in communities, inspired by everyday life, and centred on what culture looks and feels like across the islands. Further details about this prize will be shared by the end of January 2026.
The Where Culture Lives project was commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) in The Hague and on Bonaire (OCW and OCW-CG), and is managed by St. Maarten-based consultancy Lemonade B.V.
U.S. Consular Services Visit set for January 27 by Appointment Only.
PHILIPSBURG:--- (DCOMM) – The United States Consulate General in Curacao will be sending a consular officer to Sint Maarten to provide services to American Citizens.
The consular officer will be providing services on Tuesday, January 27.
U.S. citizens who need any of the following services: U.S. passport applications; Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) applications; and Document notarizations, need to make an appointment by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Services are by appointment only. After requesting an appointment, the person will receive instructions on how to prepare for your requested service.
People are asked to read the instructions carefully in order to avoid delays.
On Tuesday, January 27, the U.S. consular officer will be providing the services by appointment out of the following venue: Government Administration Building, Soualiga Road #1, Conference Room #1 (on the ground floor) from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Those who have secured an appointment, once they reach the entrance of the Government Administration Building, they should inform security that they have come for U.S. consular services and will then be instructed where to go.
Dutch Caribbean Real Estate Fund completes acquisition of ‘The Martin’ at The Setai St. Maarten.
Curaçao / St. Maarten:--- Dutch Caribbean Real Estate Fund (DCRF) has completed the acquisition of The Martin, an exclusive apartment building comprising 28 luxury suites located within the prestigious The Setai St. Maarten resort at Indigo Bay. The total purchase price amounts to approximately USD 22.5 million. The investment is held within a DCRF-structured closed-end real estate fund, capitalised primarily by Dutch and Caribbean investors and family offices.
The Setai St. Maarten represents the latest phase in the redevelopment of the project formerly known as Vie L’Ven Resort & Residences. With its repositioning under the globally renowned The Setai brand, the resort gains a strong luxury identity and international positioning. The resort is operated by Luxury Hotel Advisors and is affiliated with The Leading Hotels of the World. Guests and owners benefit from a high-end hospitality offering, including a beach club, spa facilities, and fine dining concepts under the guidance of legendary Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse.
Hans Leverman, Partner at DCRF: “After concluding my 32-year career as a tax advisor and partner at Deloitte in 2024, I joined Dutch Caribbean Real Estate Fund as a partner in 2025. With the acquisition of The Martin at The Setai St. Maarten, we achieve an important milestone in our growth strategy. By entering a project of this international standing at a strategically attractive moment, we are able to offer our investors a unique combination of immediate income and substantial upside potential. The transition to the global Setai brand underlines the quality of St. Maarten as one of the most promising destinations for luxury real estate in the region.”
Future Projects
With this acquisition, DCRF continues to expand its presence in the Caribbean region. Driven by the scarcity of high-quality beachfront locations and the favourable fiscal environment on St. Maarten, interest from family offices and high-net-worth individuals remains strong. DCRF expects to announce further details in the near future regarding new funds and investment opportunities across other islands within the Dutch Caribbean.
Looking Back on a Meaningful December: Supporting Seniors in Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG:--- As the year came to a close, Orco Bank proudly reflected on the meaningful moments shared during the annual End of Year Dinner and Party for Seniors in Sint Maarten, organized by the Helping Hands Foundation. The event brought together seniors and differently-abled community members for an evening filled with warmth, music, and togetherness.
Held at the Seniors Recreational Center in the Hope Estate, the celebration welcomed approximately 125 to 150 seniors, offering a festive atmosphere with live entertainment, food, drinks, and joyful moments of connection. With the support of multiple sponsors, including Orco Bank, the event created a memorable and inclusive experience for all in attendance.
“Supporting initiatives that bring joy, dignity, and connection to our senior community is something we value deeply,” said Judy King, Country Manager of Orco Bank Sint Maarten. “December is a time for giving and reflection, and we were honored to support this event alongside other partners who share the same commitment to community care.”
Orco Bank remains committed to supporting local organizations like the Helping Hands Foundation, whose work continues to positively impact the lives of seniors across Sint Maarten. As we move into the new year, Orco Bank looks forward to continuing its role as an engaged and supportive community partner.
For more information about Orco Bank, please visit https://www.orcobank.com. Stay connected and follow us for daily updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrcoBank and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/orco-bank.
CPS: Navigating Wellness in 2026: Experts Share Essential Strategies for Sustainable Health and Nutrition Goals.
PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- It’s a new year – 2026 - and many set out their goals, which also include achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
As we step into the second half of the decade, the landscape of personal wellness is shifting from restrictive dieting toward long-term, sustainable health integration.
Every year the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), as part of its annual health observances calendar, highlights and creates awareness about health matters.
For the month of January, CPS is profiling healthy weight and nutrition.
CPS would like to offer some tips designed to help individuals set realistic goals that prioritize both physical vitality and mental well-being.
The beginning of a new year often brings a surge of ambitious health resolutions that can be difficult to maintain. However, 2026 is being hailed as the year of "Functional Longevity."
Experts suggest that the most successful individuals are those who move away from "all-or-nothing" mentalities and instead focus on incremental habits.
The key nutrition and wellness tips for 2026 are: prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods where you focus on "adding" rather than "subtracting." Incorporate a wider variety of leafy greens, ancient grains, and lean proteins to support gut health and steady energy levels.
Hydration with intention. Beyond simple water intake, focus on maintaining electrolyte balance, especially for those with active lifestyles.
Mindful movement. Instead of grueling, unsustainable workout schedules, aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week that you actually enjoy, such as brisk walking, swimming, or functional strength training.
Rest as a pillar of health. Sleep hygiene is now recognized as being just as critical as diet. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep to regulate metabolic hormones and cognitive function.
The role of professional guidance. While self-motivation is vital, CPS emphasizes that the foundation of any health journey must be built on professional medical advice. Individual health profiles vary wildly based on genetics, age, and pre-existing conditions.
The most important health goal anyone can set this year is to schedule an annual physical. Do It Yourself health can only take you so far.
Regular screenings and consultations with a primary care physician are essential to catch underlying issues early and to ensure that your nutritional or fitness changes are safe for your specific body chemistry.
CPS recommends that all individuals maintain a "Health Log" to share with their physicians, noting any significant changes in energy, mood, or physical performance.
Contact your family physician or CPS at 914 for more information on maintaining a healthy weight and the nutritional benefits for 2026.