Overview:
Cap-Haïtien’s City Corridor launched the town’s carnival festivities and inaugurated a brand new model of the I Love Cap-Haïtien signal on Jan. 19. The City Corridor additionally offered the important thing to the town to Gérard “Lavi Souri” Pierre-Louis, a person who has made a reputation for himself by carrying costumes at Cap-Haïtien’s carnivals for the previous 45 years.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Only a day after the announcement that the 2025 Nationwide Carnival will happen in Fort-Liberté, officers from Cap-Haïtien’s City Corridor launched their very own carnival celebrations. On Jan. 19, the town unveiled a big, colourful signal on the Boulevard that reads “M Renmen Okap” in Creole, which interprets to “I like Cap-Haïtien” in English.
“We already know that the nationwide carnival can be in Fort-Liberté, in order that’s a motivation for the northern area,” Deputy Mayor Patrick Almonor mentioned throughout the ceremony.
“It’s a motivation for the personal sector within the north to arrange itself in order that what occurred in 2013 gained’t occur once more in 2025,” Almonor added, referring to his disappointment with the final time the nationwide carnival was held in Cap-Haïtien.
In 2013, the nationwide carnival was held in Cap-Haïtien, however all of the income was despatched to Port-au-Prince, Almonor claimed.
“Cap-Haïtien didn’t even get cash from the carnival stands,” he mentioned. “This 12 months, I hope Fort-Liberté will get its 30% from the carnival stands’ leases.”
Fashions wearing purple, blue, and beige costumes impressed by Haitian Revolution heroes or sported Cap-Haïtien’s 2024 carnival t-shirts that learn “Okay-Naval.” Nevertheless, Cap-Haïtien has but to announce the theme for its carnival or launch an inventory of deliberate occasions.
After the launch of the carnival festivities, Almonor minimize the ribbon for the brand new “M Renmen Okap” signal. The unique signal, manufactured from iron, had rotted over time. The brand new model was constructed with cement by means of a partnership between the city corridor and the Joel Locker Basis, Almonor mentioned. The signal sits in a well-liked spot for locals and guests to take pictures.
Following the inauguration of the signal, Almonor offered the important thing to the town to Gérard Pierre-Louis, higher generally known as “Lavi Souri,” which suggests “Smiling Life” in Creole. Pierre-Louis, 72, obtained the consideration for his 45 years of contributions to Cap-Haïtien’s conventional celebrations, together with carnivals and Flag Day occasions. His dedication and festive spirit have earned him the respect and admiration of many residents through the years.
One in all Pierre-Louis’ signature gestures is sharing sweetbreads with revelers, a practice he continued on Jan. 19 after receiving the town’s key. Wearing a vivid purple go well with and along with his face coated in white paint, he handed out the treats to attendees.
“I won’t be capable to sleep tonight as a result of I might’ve by no means thought I might’ve had the town’s key in my arms,” Pierre-Louis informed The Haitian Occasions. “I’d shut the town as soon as and for all to indicate individuals the optimistic work I’ve been doing for this nation,” he joked.
Listed here are some photos of the trio of celebrations on The Boulevard on Sunday.
