Lemonade B.V., a St. Maarten-based Caribbean startup, has begun a major 10-month research project called ‘Where Culture Lives’ to document cultural and heritage practices across Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Statia, and St. Maarten. Commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the project aims to provide a comprehensive map of how Caribbean communities engage with music, dance, art, heritage, and cultural education.
Led by former minister Jorien Wuite and an interdisciplinary team of experts from the region, the study will collaborate with local partners like the University of St. Martin and Stichting NAAM Curaçao. The project emphasizes storytelling and local voices to deepen understanding of cultural realities and needs.
The research will provide vital baseline data for shaping future cultural policies and fostering creative growth across the six islands. It will explore formal and informal cultural participation and aims to encourage regional collaboration in arts, culture, and heritage sectors.
The team plans broad community involvement, including media outreach and active engagement with local organizations to ensure the research reflects diverse perspectives and supports sustainable cultural development.
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Grand Cayes Landfill Reopened After Temporary Closure Over Unpaid Bills
The Grand Cayes eco-landfill in Cul-de-Sac was reopened on Friday by management company Verde SXM after a brief closure the previous Thursday due to unpaid invoices. The Collectivité expressed regret over the service disruption caused by Verde SXM’s decision to stop accepting waste despite ongoing payment negotiations.
Although the Collectivité acknowledged owing Verde SXM 3.3 million euros for six months, it highlighted that a payment order of 579,000 euros was issued on June 19, 2025. Verde SXM’s suspension of service came despite these efforts.
The local authority is taking steps to resolve the dispute and plans to make an additional 500,000-euro payment before June ends. Household and bulky waste collection continues uninterrupted, with collected waste temporarily stored near the site pending full reopening.
The Collectivité stressed the fundamental right to continuous public services and warned it may requisition the landfill if necessary to ensure proper operation.