Overview:
From Carnival to Artisanat en Fête, Haiti’s cultural traditions introduced pleasure and creativity to Port-au-Prince in 2024. Occasions like PaP Jazz, Pageant Quatre Chemins, and Livres en Folie showcased Haitian artistry and resilience, promising one other vibrant yr in 2025.
By Darline Honoré
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Haitians usually say that tradition shines by way of the chaos. Regardless of numerous sectors dealing with inactivity prior to now yr on account of ongoing political instability and rampant insecurity fueled by gangs within the nation, many advocates for cultural actions strove to uphold their traditions. By carnival celebrations, literary occasions and musical productions, tradition towards all odds continued to thrive in 2024. Haiti continued to face out for its potential to protect its cultural traditions.
In music and style, the inventive pleasure of Port-au-Prince shines brightly. These cultural occasions remind us that even in adversity, the Haitian folks refuse to offer in to despair. By cultivating its traditions whereas opening itself to innovation, the town gives a robust message of hope and endurance, reminding the world that tradition is extra than simply leisure; it’s also an unshakeable drive for survival.
Though the precise dates for the 2025 occasions beneath have but to be confirmed, right here’s a glance again at how these cultural celebrations unfolded in 2024. Folks in Port-au-Prince demonstrated their want to withstand the tumults by way of artwork and celebration. Carnival, PaPJazz, Livres en Folie, and Artisanat en Fête had been amongst eight main occasions that illuminated the cultural stage all year long.
- Carnival: A practice rooted in historical past
Port-au-Prince, the energetic capital and cultural coronary heart of the nation, was bustling with annual festivities. In 2024, Carnival, the primary occasion of the town’s cultural calendar, transcended mere celebration; it symbolized resilience and unity. Regardless of ongoing sociopolitical tensions, revelers loved themselves immensely. The town hosted its conventional Carnival from February 11 to 13. Although maybe not as extravagant as the colourful celebrations of the early 2000s, the occasion nonetheless unified folks, showcasing their persistence and honoring Haitian heritage and cultural range.
“We all know that the state of affairs will not be ideally suited, however carnival is our power,” a carnival participant who requested to remain nameless informed The Haitian Instances.
“That is the place we neglect our worries and present the world that we’re a folks of sturdy dedication and endurance. Like an outlet, the Haitian folks think about the carnival a refuge to neglect the painful moments of their day by day lives for a couple of hours. This yr, we didn’t suppose that the carnival would happen, however in my opinion, as quickly because the carnival festivities had been introduced, I must be in horrible form to not make a plan to go.”
- Pageant Quatre Chemins: an unmissable theatrical occasion
Theater performs a significant position within the cultural panorama of Port-au-Prince, serving as each an inventive outlet and a way of social commentary. The Quatre Chemins Pageant, celebrated from Nov. 25 to Dec.7, reaffirmed its place as a key platform for each Haitian and worldwide playwrights and artists.
This occasion normally showcases daring themes steadily drawn from the nation’s political and social contexts, offering a chance for public dialogue and emotional launch. In 2024, this system featured a studying of the play “We Don’t Go to Conflict with a Dancing Life,” carried out by actress Phannuela Lincifort, one in all three Haitian works competing for the 2024 Radio France Worldwide Theater Award Prize.
“That is the place we neglect our worries and present the world that we’re a folks of sturdy dedication and endurance. Like an outlet, the Haitian folks think about the carnival a refuge to neglect the painful moments of their day by day lives for a couple of hours.”
Magalie Jean, A carnival participant in Port-au-Prince
“Theater is a mirror of our society. Taking part on this competition additionally means making our voices heard within the chaos,” Micaëlle Charles, one of many competition’s organizers, mentioned. “It’s a approach of claiming we refuse to be silenced.”
Certainly, Charles, who has been practising the performing arts for greater than 5 years, has steadily been among the many performers on the Quatre Chemins Pageant. Within the 2024 version, she provided the viewers and theater fans a breath of contemporary air along with her efficiency on the theme “No to Masks and Masquerades.”
Orchestrated by Haitian creator, actor, and director Man Junior Régis, the twenty first version of the competition was an unmissable occasion on the Haitian cultural scene. Whereas the competition got here to an finish on Dec. 7, the organizers have already launched the twenty second version, which is able to happen from November to December 2025.
- Livres en Folie 2024: A thirtieth version that defied obstacles
It has been 30 years since e book and literature fans first gathered at Haiti’s largest e book honest: Livres en Folie. The literary occasion has been an annual rendezvous since then. The thirtieth version practically didn’t occur final yr because of the socio-political state of affairs within the nation that started in February. Initially deliberate for Might 30, it was in the end postponed to August 2024. Regardless of appreciable challenges, this yr’s distinguished literary gathering nonetheless befell.
- Pap Jazz: An unwavering musical effervescence
Music stays a central aspect of Haitian tradition. The levels of Port-au-Prince as soon as once more vibrated in 2024 to the rhythm of Pap Jazz. Certainly, the worldwide jazz competition of Port-au-Prince made its grand return to the capital after an untrue version in Cap-Haitien final yr.
This seventeenth version, which befell from Jan. 25 to twenty-eight, noticed a number of musicians and teams entertain the viewers on the luxurious Karibe Conference Heart. The viewers members who made the journey with out worry or hesitation participated on this occasion, which featured a wealthy and numerous program.
“Each piece of craft I promote is a victory towards difficulties. It’s my approach of resisting and displaying that, even in adversity, Haitian craftsmanship stays sturdy.”
Ronald Pierre, One of many artisans on the Artisanat en Fête honest
“It’s a privilege to play in entrance of such a passionate viewers. All of us want these moments of sharing to remind us that music is a refuge,” mentioned a younger guitarist who participated within the present for the primary time.
Though the organizers most well-liked suspending the 2024 version by 10 days, it nonetheless made folks completely happy.
Musicians and musical teams persevered, regardless of being affected by the challenges of the present state of affairs. They stored the Haitian musical repertoire alive by releasing new items and albums for audiences to take pleasure in.
Among the many new musical releases, we discover collaborations equivalent to these of Rutshelle Guillaume and Richard Cavé in “Tolere W”; these of Rutshelle, Michael Brun, and the American star John Legend in “Protected”; and the albums by Fatima Altieri, Kenny Sinvil, higher referred to as Kenny Haïti, and the Konpa band Klass, to call only a few. Different items have emerged, and the TikTok platform has helped us take pleasure in them.
- Christmas: Cultural occasions that maintain up
Festivities of December 2024 had been no exception, though the festive spirit that when characterised this era appears to have pale. Some occasions occurred at the start of the month, and others, persevering with the custom, befell towards the top. These initiatives, led by artists and cultural organizations, present that cultural life stays a precedence for residents even in a context marked by insecurity and financial difficulties.
Nonetheless, Christmas decorations, which as soon as crammed the streets and houses, weren’t as seen. Public markets and supermarkets had been quieter than ordinary, and store home windows had been dimmer. Many are optimistic that 2025 will convey again a extra energetic environment for the celebration.
- Haiti à Déguster: A Truthful that introduced again Haiti’s delicacies style
On Dec. 7 and eight, the 2nd version of “Haiti à Déguster” introduced collectively gourmets and the curious to have fun the culinary riches of the nation. This occasion, organized by Emmanuel Gregory Morissette and EGM Technique & Administration, aimed to assemble gastronomy fans, proficient cooks, and a public keen to find or rediscover Haitian flavors.
It highlighted Haitian delicacies and allowed individuals to find or rediscover conventional dishes and trendy creations, demonstrating the expertise of native cooks. Regardless of the logistical challenges linked to the nation’s present state of affairs, the organizers had been in a position to provide a novel expertise, proving that culinary artwork stays a pillar of Haitian cultural id.
“Haitian delicacies tells our story,” mentioned 55-year-old Roseline Godin, a participant. “By tasting these dishes, we keep in mind who we’re and every thing we’ve overcome.”
- Artisanat en Fête: A showcase for creators
The weekend of December 14-15, 2024, was devoted to the unmissable occasion for craft lovers, “Artisanat en Fête.” Organized for the primary time in 2007 by Le Nouvelliste and the Institute for Analysis and Promotion of Haitian Artwork (IRPAH), this occasion as soon as once more introduced collectively artisans from throughout the nation, who got here to exhibit their distinctive creations: jewellery, sculptures, textiles, and different handmade wonders. It was a chance for guests to help the native financial system whereas selling conventional Haitian know-how. This yr, it was the Karibe Conference Heart, situated in Juvenat, PétionVille, which was the scene of the 18-year-old occasion.
“Each piece I promote is a victory towards difficulties. It’s my approach of resisting and displaying that, even in adversity, Haitian craftsmanship stays sturdy,” mentioned Pierre, an artisan whose creations are made from wooden.
As well as, Artisanat en Fête brings collectively a variety of individuals for a similar trigger, throughout the identical interval. This ensures the artisans a return, nonetheless small it could be, in comparison with the occasions they sit of their store ready for folks to return to them. That is what a younger girl who had a “stand” of crocheted sandals informed us. “The nation doesn’t actually permit folks to journey to make purchases, not to mention artisanal merchandise; it’s an excellent alternative that Artisanat en Fête gives us,” she concludes.
8. The Code: A practice that continues
Lastly, on Dec. 30, an iconic occasion, “The Code,” closed out the yr. This conventional occasion is a should for style, music, and artwork lovers. Organized by Haitian arts promoter Harry Luc, it gives a platform for native and worldwide expertise to shine whereas bringing collectively a group united by creativity. This yr marked the Fifteenth-anniversary version.
The general public can’t wait to be reunited for the sixteenth version, scheduled to happen in December 2025.