Dedikas is an initiative taken by the young Haitian slam poet, Jean Wood Jude, better known as the Silent Poet. It is a cultural event that highlights poetry and music in the heart of Port-au-Prince. The event aims to offer a space for expression to young artists, especially those evolving in the Haitian slam scene.
Dedikas has already taken place twice, and a third edition is planned for Saturday, December 22, 2024, at the Soho premises, located at Delmas 41, number 16, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This new edition follows on from the first two, which took place respectively on October 8 and December 20, 2023.
Featured Artists
For this third edition, Dedikas promises its audience a meeting with the most talented slam poets in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The perfect opportunity for these young artists to offer a complete experience for the spectators’ senses. At this event, the presence of Poète Silencieux is already confirmed, alongside Beven le Slameur, finalist of the last Slam World Cup; Emmanuel Pacorme, Salvatorré; Steph le Sauvage; Slamander; and many others. Alongside the slam, musical performances and many other surprises are planned to welcome the participants. In particular, a big challenge at the end of the event, where the winners will be crowned with the title of "Couple of the Year" and will receive many prizes.
Distinguished guests of honor
The 3rd edition of Dedikas 3.0 will also welcome two distinguished guests as guests of honor: the famous literary journalist Dangelo Néard and Michel Joseph, an excellent news presenter at RTVC, nicknamed "Le Michel". These two major figures in Haitian journalism, despite their young age, are already references in the country’s media world. Honoring them means making models of success visible for all young people in search of inspiration. It is also important to note that Michel Joseph is a musician, entrepreneur, model and brand ambassador. Dangelo Néard, for his part, is an important figure in the Haitian literary world. Dany Laferrière even called him, a few years ago, the "guardian of Haitian literature". He is currently director of the National Library of Haiti.
Why such an event
Port-au-Prince is hit hard by waves of chaos, which affect every aspect of its life. The city, once joyful, has become a dreary land where the sound of weapons prevails over everything else. Faced with this bitter observation, every conscious man has a duty to react. Dedikas 3.0 is a poetic response to this climate of violence. A city filled with children fleeing bullets is a sick city, hungry for poetry. Slam, a contemporary form of poetry, is a tool of expression that can heal and defend beauty in the face of this climate of chaos.
An act of resistance
Dedikas 3.0 affirms that, despite the omnipresence of chaos, poetry remains a symbol of resistance in Port-au-Prince. And is intended to be proof of the resilience shown by the Haitian people since their accession to independence. This people, although tested, remains resilient. Poetry, a symbol of gentleness, peace and freedom, still finds its place in the city. Life, contrary to what some think, will continue to grow thanks to our efforts. It is a way of saying that it is up to us to make our land smile, by breathing life into every plot, so that every corner of the country can regain its beauty and the hope it deserves.
