Aruba Health Authority Reports Rise in Fever and Respiratory Cases

Aurora Funeral Home in Aruba has announced the passing of Jose Bibiano Koolman. The death notice was published by the funeral home, which shared a passage from Psalm 23 in Papiamento as part of the announcement: 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In green pastures He makes me lie down. He leads me beside still waters, to restore my strength.' No details regarding the cause of death, age, or date of passing were included in the excerpt. The family has entrusted Aurora Funeral Home with arrangements. As is customary in Aruba, funeral homes publish formal death notices to inform the community of a loved one's passing. The Psalm excerpt reflects the deeply rooted religious traditions that accompany mourning in Aruban culture.

The Fundacion Salvaguardia e Herencia Cultural di Aruba (FSHCA) has announced it will hold its first Siman di Cultura, or Culture Week, beginning September 19. The event marks the organization's first anniversary and serves as a celebration of Aruban cultural heritage. FSHCA, whose name translates to the Foundation for the Safeguarding and Cultural Heritage of Aruba, was established with the mission of preserving and promoting the island's unique traditions and identity. The Culture Week is expected to bring together community members, artists, and cultural practitioners in a series of events highlighting local heritage. The initiative reflects a broader effort on the island to formally institutionalize the protection and celebration of Aruban culture for future generations.

Aruba's Department of Education (DEA) has announced that registration for the 2027 Landsexamen — the island's national secondary school exit exams — is now open. The exams cover three academic levels: MAVO, HAVO, and VWO, which correspond to different tiers of secondary education in the Dutch Caribbean system. Students and eligible candidates who wish to sit for the 2027 exams must register before the deadline of October 16, 2026. The DEA's exam section is overseeing the registration process and has issued the announcement to ensure prospective candidates have sufficient advance notice. The Landsexamen is a critical milestone for students in Aruba, as passing results are required for progression to higher education or vocational pathways. Early registration periods are standard practice to allow the department to plan logistics and allocate resources accordingly.