Perched in the heights, above the commune of Pétion-ville, the commune of Kenscoff is a jewel lit up above the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The commune is located in the department of the West of Haiti, and is about 10 kilometers from the city center of Port-au-Prince, the capital of the country. The city of Kenscoff was founded in 1930, and was elevated to the rank of commune in 1934. The commune has an area of 202.76 square kilometers and is made up of five communal sections: Belle-fontaine, Bongars, Grand-fonds, Sourcailles. And Nouvelle-Touraine. Kenscoff is one of the most mountainous communes in Haiti.
Haïti is a true powerhouse in today’s literary world. For centuries, the country has been endowed with remarkable intellectual wealth that has led to exceptional achievements. Today, with more than 20 major active writers, whose works resonate far beyond Haitian borders, Haïti is one of the countries with the highest number of writers per capita. Among these writers, we can mention Edwige Danticat, Pulitzer Prize winner; Louis-Philippe d’Alambert, Goncourt Prize for Poetry in 2024; René Depestre, Goncourt Prize for Novels in 1982; Dany Laferrière, Renaudot Prize winner and member of the French Academy; Lyonel Trouillot and Frankétienne, globally known for their works; not to forget the current star of Haitian literature, finalist of the 2022 Goncourt Prize with his masterpiece Une somme humaine, referring to Makenzy Orcel. These names stand alongside legendary figures such as Jacques Roumain, Anténor Firmin, Jacques Stéphen Alexis, and Oswald Durant, forming significant marks on world culture through their writings. Today, this literary tradition continues to nourish new talents, but one problem persists: the absence of serious and well-structured Haitian publishing houses in sufficient quantity to support these young authors.
This Thursday, November 14, 2024, the young slam artist Youven Beaubrun, Beven by his stage name, qualified Haiti, for the very first time in its history, for the final of the Slam World Cup. This competition, which brings together the best slam artists on the planet, took place on African soil, more precisely in Togo. In a country held by the throat, a country that is dying from start to finish, under the dangerous feat of a certain armed part of its youth, Beven’s extraordinary performance in this competition resonates with the echo of a whole piece of the country, in the thirst for beauty. Beven is the symbol of a youth that refuses to give in to the chaos that surrounds the face of its motherland. Art, slam being his field of specialization, is used in the best possible way to make hope resonate. And to continue to believe that a country that made 1804 cannot afford the luxury of sinking so hard in the face of human history. "It is with pride that I advanced in this competition. Especially with the crisis that is going through the country at the moment. My qualification for the final is an eternal sign of hope, which confirms the fact that not everything in this country will end in death," the young slammer told us before going to compete in the final. The final took place on Saturday, November 16, 2024, where Beven had his chance to represent his wounded land well on the doorstep of a world victory, a victory that if it had taken place, would have been initialed in the name of an entire people, in the absolute race against a great chaos that dreams only of suffocating it. Although he failed to win this cup (finishing in sixth place overall), the Haitian slam champion had time to inspire an entire country during his great journey in this competition. This is only a postponement, next time victory will be achieved for sure.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines is an emblematic figure in modern world history for his fruitful involvement in the fight against the slave system. Through his dedication and courage, he embodied the indomitable spirit of an entire black people forcibly deported from the African continent, implanted by this same violent mechanism, in America to suffer, but determined to free themselves from oppression by forging their own destiny despite all the risks and difficulties. Dessalines’ entire life, his entire journey bears the mark of a life inscribed in the fight to free his loved ones. His unfailing determination and passion for freedom made him a living symbol of resistance for all the oppressed nations of the earth, more than two centuries after his death. We wrongly associate the image of Jean-Jacques Dessalines with chaos. The sole aim is to discredit his immense legacy before the eyes of history. “Koupe tèt, boule Kay” is the preferred expression to use for such purposes against his character, along the way, expressly forgetting the historical context hidden in the back of the “koupe tèt boule Kay” in question, also refusing to register this approach historical in the logic of a just and courageous stand, in the face of a barbaric, slavery system, devoid of morality and humanity.
The Monferrier Dorval Chair of Constitutional Law is a high-intellectual-intensity initiative, taken by the State University of Haïti (UEH), through the leadership of its rectorate, in agreement with the leaders of the Faculty of Law and Economics (FDSE). The initiative’s primary goal is to honor and perpetuate the memory of the valiant and brilliant Professor Monferrier Dorval, assassinated in unclear circumstances, about three years ago. And in order to make a scientific contribution to the great debate that has been going on in Haitian society for about ten years about the need to change or not, the constitution of March 29, 1987, amended on May 11, 2011. Shouldn’t we try to apply it preferably? If it needs to be changed, should this change be radical, otherwise what should it have in terms of change within a new mother law for a better institutional organization of Haiti. The chair is scientifically chaired by Professor Henri Marge. Dorléans, (current head of AFPEC), and is vice-chaired by the dean of the faculty of law and economics, Me Eugène Pierre Louis. The Chair is materialized by a set of conferences and debates (15 in total), which take place in the premises of the Office of the Protection of the Citizen OPC, under the name of Wednesday of the Monferrier Dorval Chair. It is in this sense that for the fifth edition of the Wednesday of the chair (which took place this Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at the OPC, in the presence of the protector of the citizen, Me Renan Hédouville), attention was placed on education within the debate surrounding the possible development of a new constitution for Haiti. This 5th meeting took place under the theme of: "Education, Teaching, Research, Science and Technologies". The conference was hosted by three greats of the Haitian intellectual community, including two eminent professors of the UEH, namely, Professor Odonel Pierre Louis, academic director of the École normale supérieure (ENS); the vice rector of the UEH, Professor Jacques Blaise. Their interventions were followed by that of the director of the national institute of vocational training (INFP) Mr. Dikel Delvariste.
On Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Karibe Convention Center in Juvenat transformed into a true cultural temple to close the 18th edition of the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival (PAPJAZZ). This year, the festival took place under the evocative theme "PAP JAZZ it UP", and it was held in three sites primarily located in the Pétion-Ville commune. The festival took place entirely at these wonderful musical venues: a reference was made to the Latin Quarter, the Haiti-Brazil Cultural Center, and the Karibe Hotel. Due to the deteriorating situation in downtown Port-au-Prince in recent times, the French Institute site had to be abandoned by the festival organizers. Nevertheless, we can absolutely call this 18th edition of Pap Jazz a success. Indeed, this festival, now a major event of the Haitian year, was especially marked this year by the great resilience and determination of the organizers who were able to adapt to the country’s rhythm in order to satisfy their loyal festival-goers. Despite the difficult context, these festival-goers did not miss the opportunity to escape their harsh daily lives through music. It’s also important to note that this 18th edition of Pap Jazz took place after two postponements, at the very beginning of this year, with the last one occurring in March due to insecurity. In this regard, it is appropriate to call the monumental achievement of the Haïti Jazz Foundation and their partners an exceptional feat, as they were not discouraged and showed remarkable tenacity, while adapting to offer Port-au-Prince and its surroundings this moment of growth, beyond the city’s great sorrow, through music.
Vertières is the place where history’s light shines brightly. The war that led to the independence of the first black republic in the world, Haiti, spanned several decades. Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who proclaimed the victory on January 1, 1804, was a man who cleverly capitalized on the honorable legacy left by Toussaint Louverture at the head of this struggle for the first liberation of a black people in the Americas. The Battle of Vertières took place in the northern outskirts of Saint-Domingue, the name of Haïti under the yoke of slavery, near the current commune of Limbé. Under a pouring rain, mixing the mud with the blood of the freedom fighters represented by Dessalines’ indigenous army, on November 18, 1803.
The "Letter to My Favorite Author" contest is a joint initiative by CSmon Publishing, a publishing house based in Virginia, USA, and the Port-au-Prince Book Fair. The contest aims to create a platform where young literature enthusiasts can express their affection and admiration for the authors who have impacted their lives through a letter dedicated to them. This letter can be written in Haitian Creole or French by any young person aged 18 to 30 living in Haiti. The author to whom the letter is addressed can be Haitian or foreign, and even from the medieval period. The contest began on January 27, with registration closing on that date, and will continue until April 15, when the prizes will be awarded. The awards, which are 75,000 gourdes for the winner, 50,000 gourdes for the second place, and 25,000 gourdes for third place, will be presented during the event "Living in Prose and Poetry," organized annually by the Port-au-Prince Book Fair, to be held in 2025 at the French Institute in Haiti.
The publishing house Csimon Publishing, led by Dr. Cherlin Simon, is excited to announce the creation of a subsidiary of Csimon Publishing in Haiti. Indeed, a management team, aimed at strengthening its approach to young Haitian authors, has been set up by the parent company, located in Virginia, United States. The goal of this initiative is to better support its authors, particularly the younger ones, offering them reliable assistance to foster their creativity and help them thrive. The committee is also in place to better coordinate the publishing house’s actions in their favor. This aligns perfectly with Csimon Publishing’s vision to actively contribute to the elevation of Haitian literary culture on a global scale, while highlighting Haitian talents and creating a bridge between Haïti and the rest of the world, which constitutes global culture. It is worth noting that among the more than 150 works already published by Csimon, most are works by Haitian authors living in Haiti.
Haiti, a country rich in history, culture and natural beauty, often raises questions about its geographical location. Where is this vibrant country that makes the heart of the Caribbean beat? Let’s discover together the continent to which Haïti belongs and the specificities of its geographical position.
Haiti, a Caribbean island, is full of natural and cultural treasures just waiting to be discovered. From majestic mountains to white-sand beaches to fascinating historical remains, Haïti offers a variety of attractions that captivate travelers from around the world. Here is an overview of the main attractions not to be missed during your stay in Haiti:
In a country where daily difficulties can often seem insurmountable, Haitian youth need sources of inspiration to move forward. The LESPWA writing contest, initiated by Oriol ANTOINE, photographer and cultural activist, offers young people a unique opportunity to express themselves through words and share a message of encouragement and resilience.
In the annals of the history of Haiti, an island located in the Caribbean at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico and shared with the Dominican Republic, Jean-Jacques Dessalines emerges like a phoenix from the ashes of oppression. Born a slave on September 20, 1758 in the home of Henri Duclos, in Cormier (Grande-Rivière-du-Nord), in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, Dessalines was a Creole of African (Afro-Caribbean) origin. Freed during the 1794 abolition achieved through slave revolts, actually served as an officer in the French army during the French Revolution. At that time, the ideas of freedom and equality were at the heart of the concerns of the inhabitants of the colonies. Dessalines actively participated in the fighting against the Spanish and British forces, alongside the French, in Santo Domingo. Having risen to the rank of Lieutenant General, Jean-Jacques Dessalines turned against the French during the Leclerc expedition, sent to Saint-Domingue by Bonaparte to reestablish colonial authority and slavery during the Haitian Revolution. After the capture and deportation of Toussaint Louverture to France on June 7, 1802, Dessalines assumed a leading role in continuing the struggle for independence. He led numerous battles, including the battle of Crête-à-Pierrot in March 1802, where he galvanized his soldiers with his famous declaration: “Let those who want to remain slaves of the French leave the fort, let those, on the contrary, who want to die as free men, line up around me.” On January 1, 1804, Jean-Jacques Dessalines achieved the long-awaited goal of independence by proclaiming Haïti as a sovereign nation, becoming the second country in the Americas to gain independence from a colonial power. He became the first leader of the newly formed nation and was named Emperor under the name James I. However, his imperial reign was marked by authoritarian and brutal policies, including the massacre of many white settlers and the redistribution of land to peasants that was in the hands of the generals of the independence army. In addition, he organized the hunt for delinquents in the city while implementing rigorous agrarian policies, considering that they represented a threat to the stability of the nation, these controversial actions caused divisions within Haitian society. Dessalines was assassinated on October 17, 1806 following a plot organized by some of his generals in the Haitian army. His death marked the end of his brief but influential period in power. Despite the controversies surrounding his methods, he is recognized as the main architect of Haiti’s independence and his name was honored in 1903 by being attributed to the Haitian national anthem, La Dessalinienne, composed by Justin Lhérisson.Finally, the great visionary man Jean Jacques Dessalines remains an emblematic figure in the history of Haiti, recognized for his role in the fight for independence and the end of slavery in the region.
Christmas in Haïti is a holiday full of traditions, spirituality and moments of conviviality. Marked by religious celebrations, family feasts and unique cultural expressions, Haitian Christmas is a magical time that reflects the generous and festive soul of the Haitian people. This article takes you to the heart of Christmas traditions in Haiti.
First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.
Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.
Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.
