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A Pre-Parade to Kick Off the Festivities
A Pre-Parade to Kick Off the Festivities
A Pre-Parade to Kick Off the Festivities

A Pre-Parade to Kick Off the Festivities

Jacmel Opens Carnival 2026 with Splendor and Creativity

The city of Jacmel launched the festivities of the 2026 National Carnival with a spectacular pre-parade, organized by the city hall in partnership with the carnival committee. This first major event marks the official entry of the southeastern city into a festive season eagerly awaited by residents and visitors alike.

Streets Transformed into an Open-Air Stage

Early on, the city streets were transformed into a vast open-air theater. Dance troupes, traditional masquerades, and marching bands filled the main thoroughfares, offering a vibrant spectacle where movement, imagination, and cultural heritage intertwined. Musical entertainment, provided by several DJs, amplified the excitement, immersing the public in a rhythmic, colorful, and creative atmosphere.

A Celebration of Jacmel’s Cultural Identity

Under the theme "Jacmel in Our Dreams," this edition brought together an impressive crowd of carnival-goers, citizens, and visitors who came together to celebrate the city’s cultural identity. The originality of the performances, the exquisite costumes, and the quality of the organization were widely praised, confirming the artistic expertise for which Jacmel is renowned.

Jacmel, an Essential Showcase of Haitian Carnival

Through this successful pre-parade, the city reaffirms its status as a cultural benchmark for Haitian carnival. Tradition and innovation meet here, giving rise to a unique popular expression. Local authorities hope that this festive energy will continue throughout the scheduled activities, contributing to strengthening the tourist and cultural appeal of this southeastern metropolis.

The Jacmel Carnival, a Living and Historic Tradition

The Jacmel Carnival occupies a unique place in Haiti’s cultural history. Renowned for its papier-mâché masks, satirical characters, and keen sense of staging, it has established itself over the decades as one of the most authentic and creative carnivals in the country.

An artistic and symbolic heritage
Stemming from a long history of cultural resistance and popular expression, the Jacmel carnival draws its roots from African, European, and local traditions. It constitutes a space for freedom, social critique, and collective memory, where art becomes language and commitment.

A carnival that tells a story and questions society

Unlike carnivals dominated by musical floats, Jacmel distinguishes itself through a narrative and artistic approach. Each edition tells a story, questions the present, and summons the collective conscience. More than just a celebration, the Jacmel carnival remains a major cultural event, bringing renown to the city far beyond its borders.

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About the Author
Moise Francois
Moise Francois
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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Meet Edison Juste: An Outstanding Singer

Beyond the chaos, in the heart of the desolation, there are voices that resonate. They shatter the silence, depicting the macabre reality of everyday life in a thousand shards, thus defying evil to give meaning to life and make each day a place where hope flows like a stream of honey. Edison Juste’s voice is one of them: it sings of hope, of love, while praising God. It was in Carrefour, 27 years ago, that the young singer’s sun rose within a family of four children. Edison Juste is the youngest. Between the diplomat, the lawyer, and the entrepreneur that he is, singing remains his greatest passion for this young married man. Like many Haitian singers, Edison Juste took his first steps at a very early age in a choir—Yahvé Shama—alongside children his own age. He would later become the lead singer. This was in 2010. Asked about his first real encounter with music, he replied: q~It was in 2013 that I really started singing. It was during a competition organized by Styl Doz at the Évangélique de la Grâce church,~q, says the active member of the group YES (Yon Enstriman Sen), who also expresses his gratitude to singer Joseph Rhousteau, who inspired and coached him for several years. Edison Juste stands out not only for his style, but also for his versatility. His ability to make the notes vibrate with a moving candor seems limitless. Yet, he has his preferences: q~There isn’t a single style that characterizes me. I see myself as a liquid: I take the shape of the container. Even if I remain haunted by Worship, Compass, and Jazz, he confides. Today, the Carrefour native boasts a rich and varied musical repertoire. From 2010 to 2025, he has grown both in maturity and in renown: five competition wins, his first song recorded in 2018, joining the band YES, his participation in the second album, Se pou m beni, a collaboration with Amos César in a musical, and his contribution to the album Anprent by maestro Berwin Sydney. For him, this journey is already a great source of inspiration. Edison Juste never does without the presence of God, whether in the creative process or during his stage performances: "What influences and motivates me the most is always the presence of Elohim, and the audience’s desire to savor and appreciate my work," he says.

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History

History

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.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

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.

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