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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.

The Port-au-Prince Book Fair announces the opening of author registration for its second edition
The Port-au-Prince Book Fair announces the opening of author registration for its second edition

The Port-au-Prince Book Fair announces the opening of author registration for its second edition

The Port-au-Prince Book Fair is a literary initiative of the cultural organization Port-au-Prince Book Fair (OCSLP), based on the desire to promote Haitian culture in general, with a particular focus on literature. The organizers of the event have just announced the registration of authors, who will number 20, and those of publishing houses, who will number 5 for the second edition, which will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024, in the premises of the French Institute in Haiti. The registration deadline is Thursday, October 10 of this year. Please note that the first to arrive who have met the required criteria will be eligible to take part in this second edition of the event, according to the organizers’ admission. This rigorous and restricted selection of only 20 authors aims to guarantee an enriching experience for authors and the public, thus promoting authentic exchanges around the works presented. Independent authors and publishing houses interested in registering their authors to participate in this second edition of the fair are invited to submit their application via this link: https://form.jotform.com/louirardjohn8/salon-du-livre-de-port-au-prince. For publishing and distribution houses planning to exhibit on the day of the event, you can register by clicking on this link: https://form.jotform.com/242596699603068. You are requested to contact them at the following address: salondulivre2023@gmail.com in case of difficulties. The Port-au-Prince Book Fair remains faithful to its philosophy, which is to offer a platform to young authors and to promote the richness of Haitian literary production, by supporting new authors who contribute to its growth. This event is a continuation of the first edition, aimed at allowing the emergence of an environment conducive to exchanges, where young authors can meet, share their experiences and engage in dialogue with readers and book professionals. According to the organizers of the event, your participation as a young author will be essential to enrich the fair and offer a diverse experience to visitors. The invitation to join this noble initiative is extended to young authors who have not yet published 5 books. You who are concerned, the ball is now in your court. Do not hesitate to go and make this day, December 13, 2024, an unforgettable day for all book lovers.

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About the Author
Moise Francois
Moise Francois
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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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.

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Natural beauty

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

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Heritage

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

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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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