Unity is Strength or Liberty - Equality - Fraternity: What is Haiti’s true national motto?

Haiti: Discover Rice Porridge, a Dinner Essential

In Haiti, rice is a staple of the cuisine. It’s enjoyed in all its forms, from sticky rice to diri ak djon djon. But in the evening, there’s nothing like rice porridge for a light and soothing dinner. Prepared with well-cooked rice, milk, sugar, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, this creamy porridge is a true delight. Some people add butter or lemon zest for added flavor.

Csimon Publishing Takes a New Step Toward Young Haitian Authors

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.

Timoun se Moun: A poetry competition to promote children’s rights in Haiti

A wounded country. Bent under the weight of a multidimensional crisis. Widespread violence. Hope slammed shut. A sacrificed generation. Children are increasingly threatened. They are increasingly confronted with all forms of vulnerability that hinder their overall development. ACTIF is launching the second edition of the "Timoun se Moun" poetry competition. A citizen initiative in which the organization uses writing as a springboard to build what life deprives Haitian children of. Pain can be turned into gold. For ACTIF (Community Action for Transformation and Formal Integration), poetry is a philosopher’s stone. Not only for this organization, but also for all those who believe that writing can help rekindle the stars. Faced with this urgent need for action, this is "an initiative to raise awareness, denounce, and affirm loud and clear that every child matters, every child deserves protection, hope, and a future," reads the competition’s descriptive document. So what do you intend to do with your human light? Through this competition, participants have the opportunity to engage in an act of resistance, like a cry of conscience to raise the voice of broken childhoods. Open from May 18 to June 18, "Timoun se Moun" is open to all Haitians living in the country and aged 18 and over. Texts must be submitted in Creole. Behind this initiative, ACTIF intends, on the one hand, to affirm our cultural and linguistic identity, and on the other, to enrich our Creole literature, promote it, and encourage creativity in our vernacular. The text must not exceed 500 words. The format chosen is PDF, Times New Roman font, size 12, and 1.5 line spacing. This competition aims to offer a touch of affection to these children who are the first victims of the country’s descent into hell. To evaluate the literary quality and essence of the submitted texts, a jury is composed of Ruthza Paul, Douglas Zamor, and Darly Renois. The former is a physician and winner of the first edition of this competition. The other two work in the fields of sociology, psychology, and literature. In addition to the "Jury Prize: 15,000 HTG + books + certificate" and "Audience Prize: 5,000 HTG + certificate + books" prizes, the best texts will be included in an anthology to be published by Éditions Répérages. It should be noted that there will be one winner for each prize. This initiative reflects ACTIF’s commitment to honoring authors who embrace the cause of underprivileged children while enriching Haiti’s literary heritage. This competition extends a helping hand to all those who believe that through poetry, one can transform one’s life into a masterpiece. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to contribute to ACTIF’s child protection program. Each participant may submit a single text. It must be sent by email to the following address: actifkonkoupwezi@gmail.com. The partial results will be published on June 30, 2025, and the final results on July 18, 2025. For more information, visit ACTIF at the following address: 18 Rue Desdunes, Imp. Thoby, Mahotière 79, Carrefour, Haiti, or contact the organization at the following number: (+509) 38 44 57 57. More than just a contest, ACTIF invites you to say No. No to forgetting. No to passivity. No to violence against children and the violation of their rights.

Launch of the Engagement Award: An Initiative to Honor and Encourage Young Leaders in Haiti

August 29, 2025, will mark two exceptional events: the eighth anniversary of Pierre Marc BAPTISTE’s commitment as a young leader and social and political activist, and the official launch of the Engagement Award. This unique initiative aims to honor and encourage young leaders, professionals, and academics for their dedication and active involvement in community life. The Engagement Award’s mission is to recognize youth leadership, promote civic engagement, and highlight inspiring role models capable of positively influencing an entire generation. Through this award, Pierre Marc BAPTISTE hopes to encourage young people to get involved in concrete actions aimed at solving community problems, reducing social inequalities, and strengthening civic participation. The first edition will be particularly symbolic. Eight young leaders from the Cité Soleil plain will be honored for the social and community impact of their initiatives. In a concrete gesture of solidarity and knowledge sharing, 200 books will also be donated to the Duvivier High School library in Cité Soleil, contributing to the education and training of future generations. With this award, Pierre Marc BAPTISTE reaffirms his belief that youth engagement is an essential lever for social and political change in Haiti. This is a unique opportunity to celebrate those who are taking action to transform their community, while inspiring other young people to follow the path of action and leadership. On August 29, 2025, Haitian youth will be honored, and a new tradition of recognition and inspiration will be established to promote civic engagement and responsibility throughout the country.

Haïti / Fort Saint-Joseph: Historical Vestige of the Resistance

Located in the Bay of Cap-Haitien, Fort Saint-Joseph stands like a silent guardian of Haiti’s tumultuous history. Built in two stages, in 1748 and 1774, this defensive work was once a crucial element of the city’s protection system against French colonial assaults. Alongside other forts such as Picolet and Magny, its mission was to control maritime passages and defend Haitian sovereignty. However, its history is not limited to its defensive function. In 1802, then under the control of General Henry Christophe, the fort became the scene of a heroic act of resistance. Faced with the French expeditionary army, Christophe ordered the destruction of the powder magazine and the entrance gate to the fort, thus rendering it temporarily unusable. This courageous gesture, although tactical, left indelible scars on the very structure of the fort, testifying to the fierce clashes between French colonial forces and Haitian resistance fighters. These historic marks, still visible today, offer a window into the country’s tumultuous past. They allow visitors and historians to interpret the fierce struggles that forged Haitian identity. Fort Saint-Joseph, as a witness to the resistance and the struggle for freedom, embodies the indomitable spirit of the Haitian people. Recognizing its historical significance, the Haitian government officially classified Fort Saint-Joseph as national heritage in 1995. This recognition paved the way for restoration efforts aimed at preserving this precious vestige of Haitian military heritage. Thanks to collaboration between the public sector and local private funding, the fort has recently been restored and enhanced. Thus, Fort Saint-Joseph remains much more than a simple stone structure. It is a living symbol of the resilience and determination of the Haitian people, reminding all visitors that Haiti’s history is deeply rooted in the struggle for freedom and human dignity. To virtually discover this jewel of Haitian history, you can visit the following link: https://haitiwonderland.com/haiti-virtual-reality-ht/monuments-histoire/haiti--fort-saint-joseph--visite- virtual/11

Salt Production in Haiti: A Traditional Know-How at the Heart of the Local Economy

Salt production in Haïti is an ancestral know-how that plays an essential role in the economy of coastal areas. The regions most recognized for salt production are the Salines de Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, the coasts of Île de la Gonâve, the Salines de Port-au-Prince, as well as parts of the North and Southeast. This process, which depends on the country’s natural geography and maritime resources, continues to support local communities while providing an indispensable product to the Haitian economy.