The Anthem of Curaçao () is the national anthem of Curaçao. Officially adopted on 26 July 1978, it consists of four verses, although only the first and last are commonly sung. Its theme is best summed up by the first stanza, praising the grandeur of Curaçao, as small as the island may be.
History The lyrics were first written by a friar of Dutch origin, Friar Radulphus, in celebration of the coronation of Queen Wilhelmina in 1898. The song was known as "" ("In Every Nation Our Fatherland Is Little Known"). During the celebrations, the pupils of a local elementary school, the St. Jozefschool, sang this to the melody of the Tyrolean hymn "".
It wasn't until the 1930s when Friar Candidus Nouwens composed the melody to which the anthem is sung today. For many years since, the song was sung on the Dutch national holiday Koninginnedag (or Queen's Day), and on other official occasions. In 1978, the government commissioned a group to rewrite the lyrics before it would be adopted as the official anthem of Curaçao on 26 July. The assumed belittlement of the Island by the title and the first phrase was one of the motives for the adaptation ordered by the insular government. The website of the insular government of Curaçao cites Guillermo Rosario, Mae Henriquez, Enrique Muller and Betty Doran as the writers of the anthem's lyrics.
Performance On June 18, 2003, the insular government of Curaçao defined regulations on the official use of the anthem. Typically, only the first and last verses are sung. The only occasions where all four are officially sung are:
When the administrator, a deputy or a member of the insular government starts their tenure, At meetings organised by the insular government to celebrate an official holiday or an official commemoration of an event and, When raising the flag at official events organised for the insular government.
As for all television and radio broadcasts, the anthem is played at midnight on New Year's and every day at the beginning and end of transmission. Various radio stations on the island play the anthem at noon as well. The anthem may only be sung in Papiamentu.
Lyrics Typically, only the first and last verses are sung.
Papiamentu originalIPA transcriptionEnglish translation (unofficial)Dutch translation (unofficial)I Let's raise our voice and sing the grandeur of Curaçao; Curaçao, small island, a boulder in the sea!
Curaçao, we love you above all nations. Your glory we sing with all our hearts.
II Our people have their struggle but we always have our faith to accomplish always victory through labour!
Let us do our part for the island's prosperity. Let us unite forces so we can triumph.
III (To) Our fatherland we demonstrate honour and loyalty, as to the flag the union of our nation.
Our lives would be little to give for our country, fighting united for liberty, love and understanding.
IV And when we are far from home we all recall Curaçao, its sun and beaches the pride of us all.
Let us praise our Creator always and forever, for He has made us worthy to be born of Curaçao!
Notes
References
Bibliography
External links
Sign-on of TV Direct 13 with the full version of the national anthem