November 11, 2026 No comments
A St. Martin Day Message by Minister of Finance Marinka J. Gumbs
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - Fellow St. Martiners, Residents of our beloved island, Brothers and Sisters, Happy St. Martin Day! As I address you today, looking out across this magnificent 37-square-mile rock that we call home, my heart swells with profound pride, but also with a sense of responsibility. Today, we set aside our daily routines to celebrate the rich tapestry of our culture, our shared history, our inspiring heritage, and the unique blessing of living together on an island where our geographical border has never truly separated our people. For me, this unity is not an abstract political talking point or a line written for an annual speech. It is my life. It is in my blood. Like so many of...
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November 11, 2026 No comments
Dutch State Secretary Eric van der Burg to attend Statia Day and Kingdom Summit
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - State Secretary Eric van der Burg of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations will pay a working visit to the Windward Islands from 12 to 18 November. The celebrations of Statia Day 2026 and the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the First Salute, as well as the Kingdom Summit, will be central to the visit. In addition to the State Secretary, King Willem-Alexander and Prime Minister Rob Jetten will also attend the celebrations of Statia Day 2026. The visit will begin on Thursday, 12 November, on Saba with a meeting with the Island Government. The State Secretary will also meet with the four new domain managers who have taken up their positions following the...
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November 11, 2026 No comments
St. Maarten Day 2026 Message of the Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - My fellow St. Maarteners, and everyone who calls this island home, happy St. Maarten Day. Ask someone from St. Maarten where they’re from and listen to what they say next. They’ll tell you, “I’m from Dutch Quarter.” “I grew up in Cole Bay.” “My family is from St. Peters.” And before long, they’re telling you who lived down the road, which yard they played in, and who would send them home when it got dark. That’s how we talk about home. We tell you about the people. Some of our families have roots here that go back generations. Some of you are the first in your family to be born or raised here. Others came to St. Maarten from...
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November 11, 2026 No comments
“St. Martin's Strength Lies in Its People”
SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On this special St. Martin Day, I extend warm and heartfelt greetings to every resident, family, and community across our beautiful island of St. Martin. Today, we celebrate not only our rich history, vibrant culture, and shared heritage, but also the extraordinary spirit of our people. Our island has faced challenges, weathered storms, and experienced moments of uncertainty. Yet through it all, one thing has remained constant: the strength, resilience, and determination of our people. St. Martin's greatest asset is not simply its natural beauty, tourism industry, or economic opportunities. Our greatest asset is the people who call this island home. As President of the St. Maarten Small Properties Association, I firmly believe that the future of our island...
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November 11, 2026 No comments
PJIA CELEBRATED SINT MAARTEN DAY BY SHARING ISLAND PRIDE WITH TRAVELLERS AND THE COMMUNITY
SINT MAARTEN (SIMPSON BAY-AIRPORT) - The sounds of steelpan music, the smell of freshly prepared Johnny cakes and the colors of the Sint Maarten flag welcomed travellers at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) on Wednesday, November 11. What is usually a busy day of arrivals and departures became an opportunity to celebrate something close to home: the island, its people and the traditions that make Sint Maarten so special. For PJIA, Sint Maarten Day is about more than decorating the terminal or celebrating a national holiday. It is a reminder of the history and heritage that have shaped the island and the community that continues to make it what it is today. As one of the first and last places visitors...
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