Colors of Oranjestad - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

People of Oranjestad are known for their welcoming and friendly character, which makes holidays in this city even more comfortable and interesting. From the first minutes of communication with the townspeople, one can note their calmness and gradual approach - it seems that no events can disrupt the long-standing measured rhythm of life here. Some foreign guests can mistake their behavior for ordinary laziness, and such associations are quite justified. Citizens are indeed unhurried in their approach, and such behavior manifests itself at any given opportunity.

Visiting one of the local stores, one should not expect that the seller will drop everything and rush to serve you immediately. Most likely, you will have to wait a few minutes before he or she completes the current task and draws attention to you. Such a leisurely service is common to local restaurants and cafes where sometimes guests need to wait a long time for their orders too. Such behavior should not be regarded as disrespect - it's just one of the national character traits.

Throughout the year, Oranjestad hosts a lot of interesting events. Origins of some celebrations go back to holidays that were celebrated in the prehistoric era. A great example is an annual carnival. One version is that its tradition comes from ancient Greek and Roman celebrations - bacchanalias. In the past, people honored the gods of fertility through a colorful holiday, but now the ancient celebration is transformed into a bright street festival with street parties and festivities. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

It is important to note that the annual carnival is held all over Aruba, but Oranjestad's holiday program is considered one of the most interesting. The carnival has been held annually since the beginning of the 20th century. It takes place several weeks before the beginning of Lent. At the beginning of the 20th century, various social clubs began to appear in the city, and it was here where the tradition of holding costumed celebrations was born. Initially, the carnival was a very solemn and exquisite event that was organized more like an elite European ball.

The holiday changes occurred with the influx of immigrants from America who worked at local industrial plants. They made the carnival more colorful and casual, with bullfighters, clowns, and caballeros as its essential attributes. Over the past decades, the holiday has gained a lot of new interesting symbols, including traditional Calypso music. This music accompanies a parade, which is considered a culmination of the celebration. Since the carnival program lasts several weeks, it's not easy to highlight any of its special parts. The most interesting is the grand parade that is usually held on the last Sunday of the event with the participation of the most incredible platforms.

Another interesting tradition of Oranjestad is the Bon Bini Festival dedicated to local folklore. The festival invariably invites local dance groups to perform open-air right in the streets. Dance shows alternate with musical performances, accompanied by fairs and gastronomic programs. Festival guests will have the opportunity to buy unique souvenirs and handicrafts by local artisans, as well as try popular regional foods.

A solemn and incredibly beautiful holiday is annually organized in Oranjestad for Netherlands Queen's Birthday on April 30th. This event is also full of colorful street performances and ceremonial parades, while the Torch Parade remains its main part. For Oranjestad residents, such celebrations remain an important component of culture and don't leave anyone indifferent. It is noteworthy that children are always actively involved.

As part of the large-scale carnival, which takes place in the second half of winter, a special children's parade, daily entertainment, and a huge selection of attractions are necessarily provided. Tourists won't feel alien at such holidays too - absolutely everyone can join them along with citizens. Fans of event tourism can visit Oranjestad at any time of the year, as original celebrations full of national color are held here all year round. Even if you fail to visit the city during one of these holidays, communication with locals will help you get into the national culture anyway.