Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine January 2020 | Page 184

Anastasia Korstanje
Junior Commissioner of Tourism
St. Eustatius
Misha Spanner
T
Keeping History Alive
with the
Simon Donker Club
he Simon Donker Club
was formed in 2008 by
the St. Eustatius Historical
Foundation’s Misha
Spanner as an interactive, fun
medium by which to educate
the youth on the island about
their history, culture and
traditions.
Being an employee at the
island’s museum, and always
having a keen interest in
history, Misha envisioned a Club
where stories can be told and
retold in various ways by the
youths, thereby ensuring the
preservation of those traditions,
history and culture for future
generations.
What better way to relive
the past and its traditions
than in theatre? The Simon
Donker Club is well-known on
the island for its captivating
performances, oftentimes
humourous, sometimes satirical
or sombre. They perform
during Statia Day Week of
Activities, at Emancipation Day
events, during visits of King
Willem Alexander and Queen
Maxima and more recently
when Princess Beatrix visited
the island. The Club members
also actively involved with the
museum in various ways, be it as
tour guide helpers or assisting
with other museum tasks.
On a visit to St. Eustatius, you
can enquire at the Historical
Foundation about any
upcoming performances of the
Simon Donker Club. You will be
sure to enjoy their performance
and leave with an appreciation
of the attempts that are being
made to maintain Statia’s history
and culture via the youths.
“
M
y name is Anastasia Korstanje. A
long name I'm sure, but that's not
important. I’m 16 years old and
a member of the Simon Donker
Club on St. Eustatius.
The Club gave me the confidence to
become the Junior Commissioner of
Tourism for my island who I proudly
represented at the Caribbean Tourism
Organization’s (CTO) 2019 Tourism Youth
Congress.
I joined the Simon Donker Club in 2017
because a friend asked me to lend a hand
in a performance. Saying yes was one of
the best decisions I've ever made.
I've learnt a lot during my time in the Club
and grown more as a person because of
it. I've learned to value my history, culture
and traditions. I've become more confident
in my voice and my being. Performing has
given me the experience of expression.
I can say today that joining this Club,
although it may seem foolish to others, has
made me a changed young woman, for the
better.
The Club members have grown to be
my family and I love them. I enjoy the
moments we have together the most,
performing, laughing and spending time
together. I hope that in the future, more
children will join the Club and enjoy it as
much as I have and will continue to have.
I wish it much success and hope that it
grows. ”