Aruba, Mi isla tan Stima

“My island that I love so much” Aruba. That is what “mi Isla tan stima” means in my native language Papiamento. It’s a sentiment that only grows deeper every year for those who love our little “bida baranca” (little piece of rock).

Aruba, is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea, is known for its pristine beaches, clear blue waters, year-round sunny weather, and friendly people. Everyone loves Aruba, visitors and locals alike. People come from all over the world to visit us. Arubans are known for their hospitality and want everyone to feel like their home on our one happy island. What many may not know is that Aruba is a self-governing community, which forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. We have our own identity within the Kingdom, and one of our main symbols is our flag and anthem. Officially adopted on March 18, along with the official anthem “Aruba Dushi Tera”.

Today back home, our island celebrates the deep meaning that the flag and anthem hold for our people. The Aruban flag is colorful and has a background of light blue, with two horizontal stripes of yelp and the bottom, and a four-red point star, white outline. The flag has a special meaning, the blue represents the sea and sky that sounds like the island. The Aruba flag consists of a red star and two yellow stripes. The red star represents the island location, surrounded by the beautiful blue sea, and also symbolizes the four points of the compass. The white, our beaches as well as purity of the hearts of the Aruban people who strive for justice, order, and liberty. The yellow stripes, the free spirit of the Aruba people, the sunshine of the sun, and the free position Aruba has within the Kingdom. Arubans take great pride in our island and our symbols, so as today as Arubans, no matter where in the world we may be, we are proud of our island, and its people, and feel blessed to call it home, “mi Isla tan stima”.