Without Uncle Ali, there is no festival.

ORANJESTAD - For many years, Tio Ali, who lives in Curacao, has been flying to make the children of Aruba happy. 

Tio Ali participates every year in Aruba's Children's Book Festival. Every year children and schools request for Tio Ali to be part of the festival. And the library complies. So, Uncle Ali is a repeat guest. Uncle Ali brings a musical performance and makes children sing, rhyme, and dance.
Alvin Inecia came up with the character Uncle Ali. When Uncle Ali was growing up, everyone told stories, and there was no television. And he prefers it that way.

Tio Ali celebrates his 30th anniversary as a storyteller this year and will celebrate it with the children of Aruba as well. Tio Ali says: “Thanks to Richard Hooi, who brought Rhythmic Poetry accompanied by rhythmic instruments in Corsou, Aruba, and Bonaire, I discovered a form of art that I also wanted to realize. As a member of the Cultural Orchestra Group, I participated in the folklore Dance, Comedy, Singing, and Tambú playing disciplines Rhythmic Poetry has also become part of the programming of the Cultural Orchestra Group. Uncle Ali’s motto is: “Entertain to Educate.” Uncle Ali became an Education Servant, who made Alvin Inecia the recipient of many recognitions. Like the recognition that year after year Tio Ali receives from the National Library of Aruba, on behalf of schools, teachers, and mainly children of Aruba, along with acceptance of authors of Aruba. Thank you very much for that recognition for the work of Alvin Inecia as Tio Ali, which I keep doing with purity and a lot of love. “

During the week of November 4 to 8, many authors from Aruba and Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and the Netherlands visit schools to tell stories in class and the library. Different illustrators give presentations on how they illustrate stories for children.

A large group of children's book writers visits more than 50 schools. 

From Aruba these are: 

From Bonaire: 

  • Segni Bernadina. 

From Curacao:

From the Netherlands:  

From St. Eustatius:

From St. Maarten:   

  • Ralph Cantave

This group visits schools to tell stories, talk about books with children, and also stimulate children to read more.

Without Uncle Ali, there is no festival.