Piar: E último bataya / Piar: The Final Battle
Description
This musical theater production, Piar: e último bataya (Piar: The Final Battle), was written by Franklin Salgado and directed by Milushka Birge.
The play is based on the life of Manuel Piar (1777–1817), a freedom fighter born in Curaçao who played a vital role in ending colonial oppression in the region. Piar was part of a regional movement with strong ties to Curaçao and was instrumental in sparking ideals of freedom among the local population.
Performed in Papiamentu, Piar is aimed at high school students and the general public. The performance features five local actors and a vibrant staging full of music and dance. The music was composed by Eric Calmes.
“For Curaçao, the awareness of colonization and its lasting impact is still very present”, says KadaKen’s managing director Maryluska – Lou – Nisbet. “This play supports that process of consciousness. We noticed that many people recognize the name Manuel Piar, but few truly know his life story or understand why he was such an important Curaçaoan in the struggle against colonial powers and oppression.”
Piar’s story is gripping and thought-provoking. For secondary schools, the production links well with subjects such as Cultural and Artistic Education, History, Social Studies, and Geography. Themes include freedom and equality, identity, the historical significance of Haiti for us, jealousy, power, and exclusion. These topics can spark deep conversations.
For the first time, KadaKen is partnering with Nathania Engelhardt, director of Debat.ed (Debate Education Foundation Curaçao), to offer follow-up workshops for schools that attend the performance. These workshops provide targeted, in-depth engagement with the play’s themes. “For KadaKen, this is an important next step in our development,” says Nisbet. “By offering these workshops, we increase the educational impact of the performance. And thanks to the support of the Vfonds, we’re able to offer them free of charge.”
List of presentations
New presentations
Friday 27-03-2026
Saturday 28-03-2026
Theater room open
19:45or
Presentation
20:00 – 22:00 PM
Data
Thursday, October 30, 2025 Premiere
Friday, October 31, 2025 (SOLD OUT)
Saturday, November 1, 2025
Sunday, November 2, 2025
Saturday, November 8, 2025
Sunday, November 9, 2025
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Education
For the first time, KadaKen is partnering with Nathania Engelhardt, director of Debat.ed (Debate Education Foundation Curaçao), to offer follow-up workshops for schools that attend the performance. These workshops provide targeted, in-depth engagement with the play’s themes. “For KadaKen, this is an important next step in our development,” says Nisbet. “By offering these workshops, we increase the educational impact of the performance. And thanks to the support of the Vfonds, we’re able to offer them free of charge.”
Agenda presentations for the schools
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New presentations
March 24-25-26-27 2026
September
September 15 – 19
September 22 – 26
October
October 15 – 17
October 20 – 24
October 27-31
November
November 10 – 14
November 17 – 21
November 24 – 28
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More information
For more information about the school performances, please contact us on the following mobile numbers: 569 8417/672 4580 or by email: teatropafundeshi@teatrokadaken.org
Subscription form
For the first time, KadaKen is partnering with Nathania Engelhardt, director of Debat.ed (Debate Education Foundation Curaçao), to offer follow-up workshops for schools that attend the performance. These workshops provide targeted, in-depth engagement with the play’s themes. “For KadaKen, this is an important next step in our development,” says Nisbet. “By offering these workshops, we increase the educational impact of the performance. And thanks to the support of the Vfonds, we’re able to offer them free of charge.”
If you would like to attend this performance with your students, please complete this form. We will contact you to finalize your registration.
For more information, please contact coordinator Nacheska Johannes at 569 8417 or via email teatropafundeshi@teatrokadaken.org.
Lesson plan
A lesson plan has been developed for the school performances. It consists of the following components:
- Link to interactive page of the lesson plan.
- Downloadable PDF for printing. This lesson plan contains QR codes that link to videos.
PDF Lesson plan
- The lesson plan contains two videos. Here are the links to the videos:
Video 1: Breaking news
Video 2: Preparashon pa e obra teatral
Photos and videos
Feel free to use the photos, but please include the following credit:
Photo credit: Teatro KadaKen, Margo Groenewoud
In the press
Oudishon
Teatro KadaKen ta buska amiga i amigu pa nos siguiente obra!👩🏾🤝👨🏻Abo ta òf bo konose un hende ku ta kumpli ku e rekisito nan aki?Inskribí bo mes i sigui komparti'é!
Simia di Demokrasia
Simia di Demokrasia het gesprek aangaan met mensen van alle generaties op Curaçao. Niet als debat of academische discussie, maar als een open ontmoeting waarin persoonlijke ervaringen, gevoelens en vragen centraal staan. Want: kada ken ta konta — iedereen telt mee.
Simia di Demokrasia verdiept wat we koesteren: vrijheid en democratie
Als vervolg op de historische theatervoorstelling Piar: e Ultimo Bataya heeft een team van Teatro KadaKen het programma Simia di Demokrasia ontwikkeld. Het programma verdiept centrale thema’s uit het leven en de geschiedenis van de vrijheidsheld Manuel Piar en verbindt deze met de actualiteit.
Simia di demokrasia
Laga nos ban TOPA i sigui kombersá, eksplorá despues ku bo a wak e obra teatral Piar: E Último Bataya! No keda sintá bo so ku tur e preguntanan, ideanan i pensamentu.