Remembering the war: The 2015 exhibition ‘Guera na Kòrsou – Curaçao at war’

In 2015, the Curaçao museum hosted the powerful and widely visited exhibition “Guera na Kòrsou – Curaçao at War”, a landmark event in the island’s remembrance of World War II. Opened in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, the exhibition offered a deep and multifaceted look at Curaçao’s wartime experience.

Watch the video about the opening on NOS.nl

Through four central themes, the exhibition told the story of how the global conflict impacted the island:

• Tribute to the war victims – Honoring the memory of those who lost their lives during the war, both on the island and abroad.
• Defending our island – Exploring how Curaçao was protected during wartime, including the presence of foreign troops and coastal defense.
• Life goes on – Highlighting how daily life continued under wartime conditions, showing the resilience and adaptability of the local population.
• Money and power entangled in war – Revealing how global economic interests and wartime politics influenced Curaçao’s strategic importance.

The exhibition drew many visitors, including numerous school groups, who came to learn about this often-overlooked chapter of local and global history. Guera na Kòrsou served not only as an educational experience but also as a meaningful tribute to the island’s role in a world at war—ensuring that the stories and lessons of the past are not forgotten.