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The KOJES Jèn Soley Festival: A Place for Cultural Exchange and Encounters
The KOJES Jèn Soley Festival: A Place for Cultural Exchange and Encounters
The KOJES Jèn Soley Festival: A Place for Cultural Exchange and Encounters

The KOJES Jèn Soley Festival: A Place for Cultural Exchange and Encounters

KOJES is a non-profit youth association founded in November 2020 in Cité Soleil, the largest slum in Haïti and the Caribbean. From its inception, KOJES has been committed to promoting education, culture, and training through various initiatives. One of its flagship projects is a space for social and cultural debate that has allowed many young people to meet and discuss social issues. Although the clashes that resumed in Cité Soleil in September 2022 temporarily halted this section, KOJES was able to recover by launching the KOJES letter-writing competition, aimed at reestablishing this precious connection between young people through literature. Today, the association is embarking on a new challenge with the Jèn Soley Festival, which will take place from September 20 to 22, 2025, under the evocative theme: "Saying to Exist." Among the guests participating in this festival are the renowned Lyonel Trouillot, the talented poet Carl Henry Burrin, the young slam poet Pacôme Emmanuel, the novelist Louis Bernard Henry, the poet Inima Jeudi, and the young poet Adlyne Bonhomme.

Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

Why another literary festival in the Haitian cultural landscape?

"In a constantly evolving cultural environment, there is always room for new initiatives," writer Litainé Laguerre, coordinator of the association, told us. He also affirmed that the KOJES 2025 Festival aims to create a space for encounters and sharing around literature, while emphasizing the importance of artistic expression in a society in crisis. "This festival is distinguished not only by its commitment to including writers from diverse regions, but also by the launch of the Gran Pri KOJES, an award designed to honor a writer for their complete work. This event will highlight the importance of Haitian literature in an increasingly difficult context, while providing a platform for young talent," he concluded.

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Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

An investment in art despite the challenges

Organizing a large-scale event in a context as uncertain as Haiti’s is a major challenge. However, KOJES firmly believes that art and culture are essential to human life. Despite the successive crises affecting the country, the association wanted to provide a space where everyone can express themselves through dance, writing, reading, and drawing workshops, particularly for the children of Cité Soleil. The festival thus becomes an act of cultural resistance, a way of demonstrating that, even in adversity, culture can and must survive.

Call for Public Collaboration

KOJES invites the public to actively participate in the festival, not as mere spectators, but as collaborators. The goal is to create a collective dynamic where every voice counts. The public, essential to the success of the event, is invited to be at the heart of this gathering, to exchange, discuss, and get involved in the association’s cultural project.

Haïti
Haïti
Haïti

Festival Supporters

The first edition of the KOJES 2025 Festival benefits from the support of several institutions such as the Haitian Energy Institute, C3 Éditions, Atelier Jeudi Soir, Éditions de l’Université d’État d’Haïti, Segoum, Éditions Pwotra haitiwonderland, and the École des Médias. Despite the current economic and political difficulties, KOJES remains optimistic about the success of this event and hopes that more institutions will join the initiative in future editions.

In short, this Festival led by KOJES is not a gesture too many in a Port-au-Prince plagued by all sorts of ills. It aims to offer a measure of healing to the major wounds that plague the city. It is yet another demonstration of the true power of words in a hostile environment; it is also a testament to the resilience of young people determined to promote culture and their clear boldness in favor of literature as a factor in creating life. They clearly believe that art is a serious means with the power to offer everyone the opportunity to use words to affirm their existence.

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About the Author
Moise Francois
Moise Francois
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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Emeline Michel, in exceptional concert in Miami

St. Clement Parish celebrates its seventy years of service to God and the Haitian community, this November 23, 2024, at 2975 N. Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors, FL. On the occasion of this celebration, Emeline Michel will be in exceptional concert to mark this cultural event. On the menu of this program, the committee plans to organize evangelization sessions, continuing education, fields of ethics, morality and spirituality. This event will also emphasize faith, reason and culture to rebuild in unity the kingdom of God here below where "Charity unites us to God". With the aim of raising culture to its peak, the Archbishop of Miami is pleased to join us for a great Eucharistic celebration on Saturday, November 23, 2024, starting at 10 a.m. Together, they will mark this mythical date engraved in the memory of his faithful and friends. This evening will be hosted by the icon of Haitian music, Emeline Michel, who has made a name for herself in the Haitian cultural landscape: "We welcome the famous singer Emeline Michel. She will do us the honor of reliving important and unforgettable moments of our charming land of Haiti. With her melodious, very captivating voice and her poetic songs, all the beautiful memories will be there, like our beaches, the light breeze of our mornings and the flight of capricious birds," wrote the press release. The 58-year-old diva continues to establish herself as one of the unique, contagious voices of Haitian music. While remaining in her style, she has been able to create her musical universe during her career, which has allowed her to be honored in the community by her fans. Emeline Michel, with her sincere lyrics and unique style, has managed to reach a wide audience without giving up her authenticity. With her songs and her melodious voice, she has rocked several generations. Throughout her musical career, she has an enriching repertoire, about thirteen albums to her credit, we can cite a few: Douvanjou ka leve (1987); Flanm (1989); Pa gen manti nan sa (1990); Rhum et Flamme (1993); Tout mon temps (1991); Emeline Michel, the very best (1994); Ban m pase (1996); Coedes and Soul (2001); Rasin Kreyòl (2004); Queen of Hearts (2007); Quintessence and lastly Gratitude (2015). She also has many collaborations with other artists. Chanjman and Jan mwen (2020, and 2021) Emeline Michel, 40 years of experience on stage, she carries all Haïti in her voice, her soul and her body. During her flourishing years of success, she has marked several continents where she has already performed (Antilles, America, Europe, Asia). This allowed her to discover several places, such as: Carnegie Hall, at the United Nations; the Teatro Manzoni in Milan; the Kravis Center in Florida; the International Jazz Festival (Haiti). Then, the Luminato Festival in Ontario; the International Jazz of Montreal; the New Orleans Jazz Fest; the Ten Days On The Island. The priest of the parish of St. Clement, Rev. Patrick Charles, took the opportunity to extend a warm invitation to the community to come celebrate this great day marking its seventieth anniversary and to entertain in order to once again highlight Haitian culture.

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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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