PHILIPSBURG:---  The Where Culture Lives (WCL) project is proud to announce the launch of the WCL Artist Prize, a special opportunity for artists and creatives in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maarten to share their interpretation of where and how culture lives in their communities.
Starting Monday, 23rd February 2026, artists from all disciplines are invited to submit original work that captures the essence of cultural heritage on their island. The prize welcomes submissions in all art forms: visual arts, music, performance, dance, literature & poetry, film, culinary arts, photography, and digital media.
"Our culture and heritage are felt, not only in museums but also in our streets, kitchens, festivals, and in our everyday experiences as Caribbean people," says Jorien Wuite, Principal coordinator and Director of Lemonade BV. "This prize gives meaning to the title of our project and is an invitation for artists to show us, in their own artistic language, where culture truly lives on their island."

Independent of research findings from the WCL project, the artistic works constitute a parallel knowledge stream seeking to document cultural life; the everyday places, traditions, and stories rooted in local experience and creative practice on each island. The work may also connect the past with the present or speak to the struggles and strengths and what it means to belong in the community. Most importantly, the prize seeks artistic expression that others in the community will recognize and resonate with.
As also discussed and agreed with the Ministry of OCW, the research & project team (Ludmila Duncan, Gregory Richardson, Elton Villareal, and Jorien Wuite) believes that the inclusion of the prize is important now. The team believes that it supports participation & relevance and will support a richer interpretive landscape when research findings are discussed during the Validation sessions scheduled on all islands for the second half of April. With this initiative, the team aims to bridge research & community and build on multi-layered insights that combine research, dialogue, and artistic expression.
The project hopes that this initiative will further increase the visibility of artists and creatives in the (Dutch) Caribbean, observe the representation of their island culture, and emphasize a place in a wider cultural conversation and policy dialogue for the position and strengthening of the cultural sector. The project will award artists on each island with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes (500, $250, and $ 125) during the upcoming Validation sessions.
The submission process is simple and open to any artist based on one of the six Dutch Caribbean islands. Persons can submit original artistic work in any medium or format, including paintings, songs, poems, photographs, or videos. Submissions open on Monday, February 23rd, 2026, and close on Monday, March 25, 2026. To enter, artists are asked to simply email their work to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To artists, the project team notes, ‘when you submit your work, please include your name and which island you're from, along with the title of your work and what type of art it is. Write a short statement, add photos or any other attachments that explain what your work shows about "where culture lives" on your island. Send us your artwork as files or provide a link to where we can download it (WeTransfer and Google Drive links are accepted.) You will need to give us permission to use your work in WCL project outputs and provide your contact information so that we can reach you by email, phone, or WhatsApp.’
Artists may submit work in any language and are welcome to reach out with questions throughout the submission period via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The judging process will take place from March 26, 2026, with winners announced thereafter in April. Selected works will be featured in WCL project outputs and validation sessions, where they will contribute to important conversations about cultural policy and development across the islands.
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.

ANGUILLA / ST. MARTIN:--- The Guyanese community across Anguilla, St. Martin, and the wider diaspora joins in celebration of Guyana’s 56th Republic Anniversary, which is marked on Monday, February 23.
Marking more than half a century of sovereignty, this year’s milestone - observed under the national theme “Expressing Our Culture Through Innovations and Creativity” - highlights the nation’s historic economic transformation and the enduring strength of its people abroad.
In a special radio address broadcast to the regional diaspora, Guyana’s Honorary Consul to Sint Maarten, Mrs. Kim Lucas-Felix, reflected on the journey from the 1970 transition to a Co-operative Republic to Guyana’s current standing as a global leader in economic growth and environmental stewardship.
“Fifty-six years ago, we took full responsibility for our destiny," the address noted. "Today, that destiny is being realized as our 'Land of Many Waters' transforms into a land of unprecedented opportunity for all Guyanese, whether at home or abroad,” stated Mrs. Lucas-Felix.
The anniversary message placed a significant emphasis on diplomatic gratitude and cultural preservation. The Honorary Consul extended a heartfelt "Thank You" to the governments and citizens of Anguilla and St. Martin. The message acknowledged the hospitality that has allowed the Guyanese diaspora to thrive, contribute to the local workforce, and integrate into the social fabric of these islands.
Guyanese were urged to remain "anchored" in their heritage. Lucas-Felix called on parents and guardians to pass on Guyanese traditions, from the culinary arts of pepperpot and cook-up rice to the values of resilience and "One People" harmony, to the younger generation.
She highlighted Guyana’s shift from an agrarian economy to a burgeoning energy and infrastructure powerhouse, inviting the diaspora to remain engaged with the nation’s rapid development.
“As the ‘Golden Arrowhead’ (Guyana’s flag) flies high across the Caribbean and the rest of the world, marking 56 years of complete control over our sovereign and political destiny, we as Guyanese must reaffirm our commitment, as our motto states, to being ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny,’ regardless of geographical boundaries.
Lucas-Felix commended the members of the Guyanese Association of Anguilla for organising a weekend of activities. The group in Anguilla, led by Mr. Carlton Pickering, CEO and Executive Producer of Kreative Communications Network (KCN), held a Guyanese Breakfast on Saturday morning, followed by a church service on Sunday at Kingdom Citizens Church, and culminated in a flag-raising ceremony.
Many Guyanese across the diaspora have returned home for Republic Day celebrations and will join the street parade, Mashramani (an Amerindian word meaning a celebration after hard work).

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- On Friday, February 20, 2026, Prime Minister Honorable Dr. Luc Mercelina officially inaugurated a new emergency generator at the Department of Communication (DCOMM), marking a significant step toward strengthening Sint Maarten’s emergency communications resilience ahead of the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
The new generator is designed to ensure the continued operation of the government’s communication arm during national blackouts and times of disaster. This investment reinforces the Government’s commitment to maintaining uninterrupted public information services when they are needed most.
During brief remarks at the ceremony, Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina emphasized the urgency of ensuring that all critical systems are fully operational before the start of hurricane season.
“Communication saves lives,” Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina stated. “As we approach the upcoming hurricane season, it was imperative that this generator be installed and fully operational to guarantee that DCOMM and, by extension, the Government of Sint Maarten is fully prepared. We cannot wait for a storm to test our systems. Preparedness must happen in advance.”
With the generator installed, DCOMM will be able to sustain critical communication functions, supporting coordinated emergency response efforts and ensuring timely public updates during adverse events.

The Prime Minister emphasized that resilience and forward planning remain central to the Government’s agenda.
“Preparedness is not optional for a small island developing state such as ours. It is essential. This generator represents proactive leadership and responsible governance. By ensuring it is up and running ahead of hurricane season, we are strengthening our national readiness and protecting the flow of verified information to our people when it matters most.”
Also present for the ceremony were Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson, Head of Facilities Management Ekema Henderikus, DCOMM staff, and invited guests Steven Romney from Electec and Electrician Gary Manners.
A key component of this enhanced capacity is the Government’s radio station SXMGOV 107.9 FM, which broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The station will now continue operating seamlessly during power outages, ensuring that residents receive essential alerts, safety instructions, and official updates without disruption.
Prime Minister Dr. Mercelina further highlighted the importance of the radio station within the disaster management framework.
“SXMGOV 107.9 FM is a vital lifeline between the Government and our community. When electricity is disrupted and other channels are compromised, radio remains one of the most reliable means of communication. By securing uninterrupted power to this station, we are reinforcing that lifeline before the hurricane season begins.”
DCOMM Department Head Maurice Lake emphasized that a reliable communication infrastructure is a cornerstone of national preparedness. He noted that the generator represents a proactive investment in public safety, enabling the government to better serve the Sint Maarten community before, during, and after emergencies.
Lake welcomed the milestone, noting that the upgraded capability strengthens the country’s overall disaster-readiness framework. He also commended DCOMM staff for their efforts to ensure government media are ready in the event of a national emergency.
Officials encouraged residents to remain tuned to SXMGOV 107.9 FM for verified information during emergencies as the Government continues to modernize and fortify its public communication systems and other communication mediums.
The radio station first came on air in May 2017. DCOMM is a key entity within the national disaster management system, serving as Emergency Support Function ESF 8.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Chairlady of Parliament of St. Maarten, Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, has called for renewed commitment, accountability, and structural strengthening of the Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) following the conclusion of the recent gathering hosted in Aruba.

Speaking at the closing press briefing, the Chairlady expressed sincere gratitude to the host country, the organizers, and parliamentary colleagues from Curaçao, Aruba, and the Netherlands for the constructive dialogue held both formally and informally during the consultation.

She underscored IPKO’s unique and critical role within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, particularly given the absence of a formal Kingdom Parliament. According to the Chairlady, IPKO remains the only structured forum in which parliamentarians of the four countries can deliberate collectively on Kingdom-wide matters.

While acknowledging the quality of discussions, Wescot-Williams emphasized the recurring challenge of important issues being raised repeatedly without sustained follow-through.

She noted that IPKO has, in the past, demonstrated its capacity to take collective decisions, most notably regarding the long-discussed Dispute Regulation. However, that process ultimately stalled.

Wescot-Williams highlighted that differing legal interpretations and political perspectives among the countries make a functioning dispute regulation indispensable. She confirmed that a draft prepared by the Caribbean countries has been submitted and is currently under review via the channels for a Kingdom law.

She urged all governments involved to ensure that this matter is brought back on track and finalized, emphasizing that a credible Kingdom structure requires a reliable and fair mechanism to resolve disagreements.

“There must be a deliberate effort to avoid ‘tiptoeing around’ difficult topics,” she stated, stressing that controversial or complex matters cannot continue to be deferred once they become politically sensitive or divisive.

The Chairlady accepted a mandate to bring forward proposals aimed at improving the functioning and effectiveness of IPKO. She stressed that consultations must produce measurable outcomes and that mechanisms for continuity and accountability are essential.

Responding to a question from the media, the Chairlady also raised the broader issue of the Kingdom’s institutional framework. While not formally advocating for the immediate establishment of a Kingdom Parliament, she noted that global developments and geopolitical shifts necessitate reflection on how the rights and interests of all people within the Kingdom are safeguarded.

She opined that the structure of the Kingdom, including the potential need for a more formal parliamentary arrangement should be revisited in future IPKO consultations.

In addition to institutional matters, IPKO participants engaged in discussions on:
• Security and cybersecurity
• Climate adaptation and environmental resilience.
• Aging populations.
• The legacy of the slavery past.
• The geopolitical impact of rapidly changing global dynamics.

The Chairlady stressed that these are not abstract discussions but pressing matters that require coordinated Kingdom-level responses.

Wescot-Williams reaffirmed that IPKO remains a vital platform for parliamentary unity within the Kingdom. In the absence of a formal Kingdom Parliament, it serves as the principal venue where representatives deliberate as one body on shared responsibilities and challenges.

She concluded by expressing hope that the outcomes of this consultation would not remain confined to reports and statements, but would translate into tangible progress by the next IPKO meeting.

“Consultation must lead to consolidation, and consolidation must lead to results,” she affirmed.