Friday is St. Maarten’s Flag Day, in this case the 40th edition. A programme focussed on local primary schools has been prepared (see related story), taking into account that it is not a public holiday.
People are being called on to display the national flag or related decorations on their vehicles. However, there is no word regarding the long-absent big flag at Bell’s Lookout Point on Cole Bay Hill.
Two “private property” signs were placed at the parking area there last month, indicating that the land remains under the ownership of the Bell family. In late 2017, shortly after Hurricane Irma, the adjacent hilltop was enhanced with a prominent flagpole displaying the national flag – one of four designated locations intended as patriotic photo spots.
The initiative, launched by then VROMI Minister Christophe Emmanuel, aimed to foster national pride by encouraging visitors to take selfies with the flag as a backdrop. The pole was installed with the family’s permission.
However, there were issues from the beginning, with flags regularly ripped apart in the windy spot. As a result, the pole has remained empty for some time.
And that’s a pity, not in the least because this is a popular sightseeing stop for visitors. They often ask about the flag, leaving taxi drivers and tour operators to try to explain.
It seems structural adjustments are needed, but that was known already more than a year ago. If “love for country” is such a priority, what has been done since?
