The Dutch Minister of Culture, Ronald Plasterk, says the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba are to receive eight million euros to help pay for the restoration of monuments.

Mr Plasterk made the announcement after a meeting with the government of Aruba and the administrations of Bonaire and Curaçao. He said hundreds of buildings would be eligible for restoration money because they provided tourists, and the islands’ inhabitants, with a picture of the past. Such monuments, he said, “help people understand where they came from and who they are.”

The Netherlands Antilles and Aruba will also donate money to the restoration fund.

Photo of Oranjestad buildings by atomicshark (flickr)