Overview:
On the fifth version of Expo Jeunes, held June 14, 2025, within the courtyard of the municipal palace in Port-au-Prince, greater than 100 younger artisans, designers, and make-up artists showcased their abilities. The occasion, unfolding amid Haiti’s worsening safety disaster, turned a vivid testomony to cultural endurance, highlighting pearl-studded sandals, crocheted clothes, hand-painted equipment, native snacks, and extra. For these younger creators, persevering with to supply isn’t simply enterprise—it’s resistance aimed toward exhibiting all is just not misplaced.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Beneath the white tents of the municipal palace courtyard in Delmas, twin sisters Loodjy and Loodmya Pierre stood proudly beside rows of handcrafted sandals glistening with pearls. Their creations, a tribute to Haitian id, have been among the many many choices showcased on the fifth version of Expo Jeunes on June 14.
“I can say that the pearl sandal is supposed to be part of who we’re,” Loodjy informed The Haitian Instances, highlighting the cultural dimension of her creations. “It’s an artisanal and rural sandal that represents us.”
Organized with out authorities help, the annual truthful provides younger Haitian artisans, creators, writers and entrepreneurs a uncommon platform to show their expertise, join with consumers, and picture futures formed by creativity and resilience. This yr, practically 100 contributors arrange store providing the whole lot from handmade items to pure cosmetics.
“Our will and our expertise are presents from God. So it’s not due to the nation’s state of affairs that we’re going to let ourselves really feel discouraged. Quite the opposite, we really feel much more pushed”
Chloé Lescot, co-founder of Crochet en Folie
For the Pierre sisters, founders of LM Company, which gives make-up, cosmetology, and occasion planning companies, Expo Jeunes is greater than an occasion. It’s an announcement of objective.
“For me, it’s an occasion that permits younger entrepreneurs to advertise themselves and their companies,” says Loodjy. “I’m actually grateful to participate. I really feel proud.”
Within the courtyard, the festive air was unmistakable. Households with their kids, {couples} hand in hand, wandered by way of cubicles, chatting with artisans, sampling meals, dancing, and shopping for the whole lot from snacks to artwork. The vitality was defiant—a counter to the insecurity and concern gripping the capital and a few of its areas.
In a single nook, a baby laughed as their face was painted with flowers; in one other, a younger couple posed for a photograph with matching bracelets that spelled out “Haiti.”
“We tried to do no matter little we may to maintain shifting ahead. We are able to’t merely sit round watching the state of affairs within the nation.”
Loodjy Pierre, consultant of LM Company
Past pearl-studded sandals, visitors found hand-painted market luggage, Haitian-style attire, handcrafted jewellery, and bracelets proudly bearing the title of Haiti.
The celebration prolonged throughout the grounds, providing much more to discover: floral face and hand portray, plant-based hair oils, unique art work, roasted peanuts, chanm chanm—a crunchy roasted corn snack typically blended with sugar or peanuts—crispy chips, and vibrant cocktails. Every sales space added a burst of creativity and pleasure to the day.
Among the many stands was “Le Crochet en Folie,” a enterprise based by three pals who handcraft crochet ready-to-wear objects starting from hats to seashore fits, bralettes to skirts and shorts, and hair equipment.
“We make the whole lot with our personal palms, with out importing from overseas to resell in Haiti,” defined Chloé Lescot.
“Right this moment’s occasion means a lot to us. As younger and aspiring entrepreneurs, it encourages us and others to strive their ventures and ultimately launch their very own companies.”
Close by, Lenz “GidophArt” Dagrin labored his paintbrush throughout hand-painted luggage whereas inviting kids, one after the other, to sit down for reside artwork classes. His sales space turned a haven of pleasure and colour, a aid amid uncertainty within the streets
These moments of laughter, connection, and creation are the essence of Expo Jeunes. In a fragile nationwide local weather, the truthful reminds the artists and patrons that their tradition and creativity aren’t simply types of expression, however instruments of survival and hope.
The Pierre twins, together with the ladies of Crochet en Folie, say they perceive the significance of continuous to create and resist, even when the chances really feel stacked in opposition to them. Their presence at Expo Jeunes was a quiet declaration of hope—a message to others who could really feel the whole lot is misplaced.
“It’s not straightforward, however what issues is that we didn’t simply sit again and do nothing,” Pierre added. “We tried to do no matter little we may to maintain shifting ahead. We are able to’t merely sit round watching the state of affairs within the nation.”
“Working a small enterprise in Haiti in the present day is undeniably worrying,” Lescot stated. However the crew’s dedication—fueled by private ambition and the encouragement of their neighborhood—has helped them keep dedicated to their work, regardless of the every day pressures of violence and instability.
“Our will and our expertise are presents from God. So it’s not due to the nation’s state of affairs that we’re going to let ourselves really feel discouraged. Quite the opposite, we really feel much more pushed,” added Lescot.
Under are extra pictures capturing the environment of the Expo Jeune exhibition.
