Writer/poet Quito Nicolaas got interviewed spontaneously on his latest poetry book Bos pa Planta when visiting the activities at the Historical Museum in Fort Zoutman. The interview was taken by colleague writer Desiree Correa.
Fort Zoutman
ambiance in the courtyard of Fort Zoutman
Desiree interviewing the writer
the public relaxing
The writer speaking about Bos pa Planta
The fair ‘Feria Dushi Tera’ last thursday 17 March was at the occasion of 35 years Himno y Bandera (National Anthem and the Flag) and 25 years Status Aparte of Aruba. Aruba is the first island in the constellation of the Netherlands Antilles to have gained in 1986 it’s own semi-independent status in the Dutch Kingdom. Each year this fact is being celebrated on 18 March.
The fair was buzzing with people from all over the island. It was a great night with all kinds of goods in the colors of the beautiful flag of Aruba, delightful music, nationalistic speeches, typical dishes and the festivity was closed by wonderful fireworks. Bookish Publishers had it’s own stand nr. 29 and people could meet&greet the writer Quito Nicolaas. So we got family and friends coming by, but also people interested in literature and reading. The only party pooper was the rain that spoiled part of the evening. Here is a photo impression of the night.
waiting for people to come by
the first copy sold for the night
the book already put away from the rain
men are also interested in poetry
posing with FB friend & family
here with friends from Curaçao
old time friends also interested in Bos pa Planta
poetry lover glad with book in hand, the Aruban flag swaying on the table
posing with his tokayo (person with the same name) & a very dear old friend
coming from the same hometown of San Nicolas
posing with two dear FB friends
interested in all the books by the author
old time friends also interested in the new work
posing with a dear friend & journalist (r)
view on the mainstage before the rainstorm hit
Last wednesday Quito Nicolaas was again signing his books at De Wit & Van Dorp Bookstores. Book lovers came by to meet&greet the author and get their copy. The greeting of the shop-assistants were as always very cordially.
reader posing with the writer
writer with Bos pa Planta
posing with the renown linguist Joyce Pereira
Both Bos pa Planta & Verborgen leegte are available @ De Wit & Van Dorp Bookstores, Avenida Milo Croes in Dakota.
Yesterday it was full house in the Cas di Cultura during the presentation of Bos pa Planta, the new poetry book by Quito Nicolaas. The booklaunch was in the ambiance of 25 years Status Aparte with recitation of poetry, literary speeches and music. The first copy of Bos pa Planta was presented to Astrid Britten, director of the National Library of Aruba. Bos pa Planta gave recognition to eight young talents on different areas of the arts. They were also presented with a copy by the author. Thereafter some of the poems were recited. It was a delightful evening with visitors from the literary, art and cultural circle. Take a look at a photo impression of the evening.
Astrid Britten, director of the National Library of Aruba delivering her opening speech
Wim Rutgers, professor of Caribbean Literature, delivered his speech ‘A Sense of Belonging: Status Aparte 25 years Literature’
the author delivering his speech on the growth and constraints in literary development
the author and young talents in the background
presenting the first copy to Astrid Britten, director of the National Library Aruba
Mrs. Kip receiving Bos pa Planta on behalf of her multidisciplinary daughters Ayra & Ira Kip
the theater talent Hildward Werleman & the author
the talented dancer Orwin Gomes & the author
the fabulous visual artist Lara Kuiperi posing with the author
the young talented singer Jonathan Croes with the autor
mother of the young talented poet Rosabelle Illes very glad to receive Bos pa Planta
mother of the cineast Jo Henriquez receving his copy
the poetry book highlighted young Aruban talents working on different disciplines
Christy Kip recited ‘Piedra’ [Stone]
Lara reciting ‘Na caminda’ [On the way]
Jonathan reciting ‘Un canto pa union’ [Cry for unity]
the public enjoying in the theatre of Cas di Cultura
A cast of musicians accompanied the booklaunch of Bos pa Planta. The Grupo Kadushi Largo consisting of predominately young musicians played typical music. Etty Toppenberg delighted the public with romantic music. Harry Zimmerman sang some of his beautiful compositions dedicated to the island of Aruba. And Jonathan Croes, who a few days ago won ‘Un canto pa nos Himno y Bandera’ [music contest celebrating 35 years of the National Anthem & Flag/25 years of Status Aparte], made the public swing with his latest song ‘Celebracion di Plata ta 25’
Grupo Kadushi Largo
Etty Toppenberg
Harry Zimmerman, accompanied on guitar by Etty Toppenberg (l)
Jonathan Croes
Grupo Kadushi Largo
playing a typical instrument
Kadushi Largo musicians on tambor
young musicians of Grupo Kadushi Largo giving a splendid performance and closing the evening
After the speeches and music, visitors could meet&greet the author. The booksigning followed. It was a great evening and a pleasant atmosphere. People lingered on till late with a glass of wine in hand and chatting with friends and family.
the book table
proud to have obtained Bos pa Planta
queue up for Bos pa Planta
booklover posing with the poetry book
speaking with a booklover
having an interview in between with a journalist of a local paper
waiting to get a signature of the author
the author with dear cousin Lucky
posing with colleague writer Jacques Thonissen (in the middle)
Lara Kuiperi, the author & Lara’s parents
visitors relaxing & chatting
posing with mrs. Kip, mother of the talented twins Ayra & Ira
the author with an old time friend, the renown painter Stan Kuiperi
another pleased booklover
the author with a former pupil notary Ralph Yarzagaray
posing with an acquaintance
speaking to the renown linguist Ramon Todd-Dandaré
one of the photographers of the evening
posing with Bos pa Planta in hand
another view on the visitors that evening
the author with the sociologist Rudy Lampe
the author with Mirto Laclé, expert on young adult literature, and the MC for the evening
showing Bos pa Planta
signing Bos pa Planta
standing by the book table
the author with his dear family
posing with Jontahan Croes & his family
the book table
posing once more with Astrid Britten
the author with musician Harry Zimmerman
the author with colleague writer Olga Orman
the author, the renown musician Padu del Caribe Lampe & his daughter
in conversation with Jonathan
author with more dear family
Bos pa Planta gladly received
the author with an acquaintance
Professor Wim Rutgers & the author
the author with linguist Joyce Pereira
The booklaunch was a succes. We want to thank Biblioteca Nacional Aruba, Instituto Pedagogico Arubano, the eight talented youth and everybody who contributed to make this evening memorable.
Last monday Quito Nicolaas had a booksigning session at the bookshop of Bruna Aruba. Booklovers came by to meet & greet the author. They bought their copy of Bos pa Planta or Verborgen Leegte. The Bruna team did a great job to promote both books by the author and he had a professional reception. It was a pleasant evening talking and exchanging ideas with the Bruna team. Here’s a photo impression of the booksigning.
an enthousiastic reader posing with the author
Bos pa Planta & Verborgen leegte in the picture
another book lover with Bos pa Planta in her hands
the author
Verborgen leegte also liked
posing with the manager Miranda
posing with this lovely family
the Bruna Aruba team l.r.: Candice, Miranda & their colleague
Both Verborgen leegte & Bos pa Planta are available @ Bruna Aruba, L.G. Smith Blvd.
Last saturday Quito Nicolaas had a booksigning session @ Boekhandel Boek Plus in Curaçao. It was an amenable afternoon with readers coming to meet&greet the author. The shop-assistants were very helpfull and friendly. They made the author feel at home from the start. Here’s a photo impression of the activity.
readers posing with the author
the booksigning table with all the writer’s book showcased. At the back also his books in the shelves.
reader with her copy in hand
closing up a succesful stay in Curaçao.
Verborgen leegte and other books by the author are obtainable at:
Boekhandel Boek Plus
Kaya Salas 48
Curaçao
Be sure to get your copy soon!
Verborgen leegte was succesfully launched last friday 11 March at the Biblioteka Públiko Kòrsou in Curaçao .
After the author gave some insights on the novel, Arthur Tholel of the local library spoke with him about the book. The public asked questions about the Caribbean elements of the book, the use of historical aspects in literature and how difficult it was for a male writer to creep into a female character. The evening was closed with a booksiging session.
the present public at the booklaunch
booksigning session with the author
visitors queueing up to buy Verborgen leegte
The local newspapers Extra en La Prensa publicized on 12 March an item on the booklaunch of Verborgen leegte.
Verborgen leegte is obtainable in Curaçao at the following bookstores : Boekhandel Boek Plus & Mensing’s Caminada.
Here’s the recent interview Quito Nicolaas had with the Amigoe on his latest work Bos pa Planta. It was published yesterday in Ñapa, the supplement of the Dutch newspaper Amigoe.
Read the article HERE
Yesterday writer/poet Quito Nicolaas had the honour of visiting the Governor of the island of Curaçao Mr. Frits Goedgedrag. Nicolaas introduced his latest poetry book Bos pa Planta to the governor, which is published at the occasion of 25 years Status Aparte of Aruba. The governor was very pleased to receive this work. Here is a photo impression of the visit.
The governor & the author admiring Bos pa Planta
Governor Frits Goedgedrag & Quito Nicolaas
More information on the function and the work of the Governor of Curaçao see HERE
On thursday Quito Nicolaas visited the FPI (Fundashon Planifikashon di Idioma) in Curaçao. This institute promotes the languages in the community and regulates the linguistic situation on the island. The languages concerned are: Papiamentu, Dutch, Spanish and English.
Nicolaas toured the FPI and had an interesting talk with its director mr. Ronald Severing. Besides other themes they touched on the development of Papiamentu in Curaçao and Papiamento in Aruba. This was surely one of the topics not to be missed. A succesful visit.
Yesterday Quito Nicolaas was a guest in Ailleen Looman’s talkshow Mòru Bon Dia. The theme was the two latest books by the author: his latest novel Verborgen leegte and the poetry book Bos pa Planta soon to be launched on 15 march proximately.
author & presenter posing for the camera after the show
in front of the TeleCuraçao studios
Publishing House
Bookishpublishers's Blog 
