Mangazina di Rei

One of our son's friends from school recently stopped by the TWR office here on Bonaire.  After graduating from HAVO, our son, Richard, continued his studies in the USA while Izaïn Mercera went to the Netherlands.  Richard is working in New Jersey, in the USA, but Izaïn is back on Bonaire and involved with the Mangazina de Rei cultural park and learning center, located just east of Rincon.

Sandra and I last visited the Mangazina de Rei back in 2006.  It looks like lots has been happening since then.   Some things Izaïn mentioned include internships, leadership development and cultural education for local children and youth.  It sounds like many of the "ansianonan" are being given a great opportunity to pass on the cultural heritage and oral traditions of Bonaire to the next generations.

There is also lots going on for visitors to the island, including cultural discovery tours at 9, 10, 11, 2 and 3 o'clock Monday through Friday.  Work is also progressing on an all new exhibition about the history and heritage of Rincon, due to open in September.

If you are on the island right now, there is a Cultural Market at the Mangazina di Rei this Saturday from 8am to 1pm.  Entrance is free.  Besides great local foods and beverages, a highlight this month will be a presentation, at 10am, about traditional Bonaire architecture by one of the oldest local construction workers, Sr."Cola" St. Jago.  There are some wonderful examples of early Bonarian construction methods on the Mangazina de Rei grounds.  And last but not least, he local band, Kariño, will be performing from 11 to 1.