Overview:
“Harmonie” was the theme of a live performance that came about on the Institut Français en Haïti on the evening of Jan. 9, kicking off the establishment’s 2025 cultural actions and providing the residents of Port-au-Prince a second of leisure and a breath of hope. The live performance featured proficient singers Naïemlee “Lenny” Auguste, Lorrane Stessie Charles and Joana “JoJ” Joseph, who delivered highly effective performances to a delighted viewers.
By Magdala Louis
PORT-AU-PRINCE — The Institut Français en Haïti (IFH) kicked off its 2025 artwork and tradition actions with the live performance “Harmonie” on the evening of Jan. 9, showcasing three proficient younger Haitian ladies artists. The occasion sought to convey a message of hope and to encourage perseverance.. Anticipating a second of pleasure, the viewers got here collectively to sing, dance and seize reminiscences whereas having fun with highly effective performances by Joana “JoJ” Joseph, Lorrane Stessie Charles and Naïemlee “Lenny” Auguste.
The viewers danced on the stunning out of doors venue as they had been carried away by the rhythms of musical devices and radiant voices. It was one of many uncommon alternatives for tradition lovers within the Haitian capital to reconnect with full of life moments within the midst of insecurity surrounding Port-au-Prince and its metropolitan areas.
Attendees noticed acquainted faces and sang alongside loudly collectively from the minute the primary music began, g“Ede M Chante” (Assist Me Sing) by the Haitian ‘Rasin’ band, Boukan Ginen. It’s a robust music that speaks to the energy of the Haitian folks and the way they deal with the burden of a number of crises affecting the nation through the years. Though the music was launched in 1995, it nonetheless resonates with Haiti’s present challenges.
Artists referred to as on all Haitians to unite, combining their strengths to work towards setting up a brand new Haitian society.
The singers, turning right into a trio for the event continued with the 1992 music “Banm Yon Ti Limyè” (Present Me a Little Mild) by the late Haitian activist singer Emmanuel “Manno” Charlemagne. By means of this music, the singers inspired the viewers to replicate on the disaster in Haiti and the state of affairs of individuals of African descent all over the world an identical objective of the unique music by Charlemagne.
“This live performance is a second of respite, a possibility to take pleasure in moments of delight with out fear,” stated the singer Auguste, 22. “I thank the viewers once more for sharing their vitality with us.”
Auguste, desperate to return to the nation’s cultural scene for the brand new yr, stated that this collaboration, through which her voice blended with these of the 2 different artists, made her love music much more. Certainly, it was the primary time Auguste had labored on a present with artists of her technology, she confided.
“Despite the fact that we naturally sing completely different sorts of music, we loved being on stage collectively. We loved each second of this collaboration,” Auguste stated enthusiastically.
As evening falls, the singers continued with the music of one other socially acutely aware Haitian artist, Kébert “KEB” Bastien, who condemns in his lyrics the mistreatment of the Haitian folks by the elites who management the nation and advocates for a well-liked revolt to realize a greater life for all in Haiti.
The singers lent their voices to interpret the observe titled “Chalmay Peral” from KEB’s album “PWENNFÈPA,” a name to revisit the historical past of the “Cacos” resistance in the course of the American occupation from 1915 to 1934. It serves as an anthem urging Haitians to take duty within the face of oppressors. Their efficiency despatched shivers by means of the viewers, reminding them that those that struggle by no means die.
This second brings collectively younger artists who usually present consolation when the nation’s state of affairs lacks viable alternate options.
Lorrane Stessie Charles, who captivated the viewers along with her voice, stated she was delighted by the initiative led by the French Institute. For her, initiatives like that live performance are crucial as a result of she believes the Haitian music trade (HMI) doesn’t all the time acknowledge collaborations amongst younger artists. These actions additionally strengthens fashionable solidarity amongst individuals who share related life experiences.
“It’s a method of sharing good vitality and exhibiting solidarity and love,” stated Charles, 32. “It will be good to see extra initiatives on this route.”
Earlier than concluding the occasion, which left the viewers glad with the performances, the artists delivered a rendition of two songs by 27-year-old singer Joana “JoJ” Joseph. This collaboration proved to achieve success, because the viewers enthusiastically sang together with the artists.
Within the first observe, titled “Tonbe” or “Fall,” the artists describe how people are inherently weak, usually discouraged, and vulnerable to failure of their pursuits. In addition they emphasize the significance of discovering interior energy and the vitality to rise once more and hold making an attempt till they obtain the success they want.
Within the second music, “Finest Half,” the younger artists sang about love, expressing their feelings by means of music for the particular person they cherish. It’s a journey of unwavering devotion the place the one resolution is to like the opposite particular person and prioritize their wants.
The viewers had been eager for an occasion like this and left glad, expressing hope for extra actions of this type within the capital. This significantly resonated with JoJ, who expressed her gratitude to the viewers for exhibiting up regardless of the continued insecurity paralyzing town.
Like her fellow singers, she thanked the institute for organizing the live performance and referred to as for extra initiatives of this type, highlighting their therapeutic worth for the group.
The senior reporter Juhakenson Blaise contributed to this text.