Ruben Severina
(Curaçao, 1956) For years was the face of the Antillean community in the Netherlands. He came to the country in 1989 to study and wanted to return afterwards. However, he stayed because of his young family and found a new mission: taking care of the interests of Arubans and Antilleans in the Netherlands. With the Splika foundation he dedicated himself to the promotion of Papiamentu, the language that he also teaches. Subsequently he chaired MAAPP (Movimentu Antiano i Arubano pa Partisipashon Politiko), the platform for the social participation of Antilleans and Arubans in the Netherlands. When he resigned on 1 March 2009 he received the MAAPP award Mi ta yuda, a new medal which will be awarded on Severina's birthday to people who have dedicated themselves to the Antillean and Aruban communities. For some time Severina served on the town council for the Dutch Labour Party in the town of Zoetermeer and now chairs HAAB (The Hague Antillean Aruban Board).
Past events
Changá: The great Dubbelspel (Double Play) Translation Game
Finally the great Curaçaoan novel Dubbelspel (Double Play) by Frank Martinus Arion has appeared in Papiamento. Tonight we'll test the knowledge of Papiamento of the Curaçaoans, Bonaireans and Arubans living in the Netherlands. A panel of prominent Papiamento speakers, consisting of Erik Molina, Olga Orman, Igma van Putte and Gilbert Wawoe, together with the audience and the writer himself will play the great translation game, hosted by Ruben Severina. In cooperation with De Bezige Bij Publishers.
Great Dicatation in Papiamento/u of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Prolongated because of its success in 2006: the public dictation in Papiamento/u. Participants may choose from the dictation in Papiamentu or Papiamento Sonia Garmers and Sydney Kock do the dicating. Winternachten provides pen and paper.
The Papiamento dictation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Test your spelling of Papiamentu or Papiamento. Take your chance to win the new Papiamentu-Dutch dictionary. Winternachten will provide you with pen and paper. Don't worry about the results, only the number of spelling mistakes that the winner makes will be revealed. Dutch and Papiamento spoken.
