On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the Haïti Jazz Foundation officially announced the launch of the 18th edition of Pap Jazz during a press conference with festival partners, such as the Canadian Embassy, represented by H.E. Mr. André François Giroux, the French Embassy represented by H.E. Mr. Antoine Michon, the Spanish Embassy represented by H.E. Mr. Marco Peñin Toledano, and the Mexican Embassy, represented by Mr. Jesús Cisneros, Chargé d’Affaires ad hoc of Mexico in Haiti. The Bank of the Republic of Haiti, represented by Mr. Rotchild Jean François Junior and Mrs. Stéphanie St Louis from the Direction of Artistic and Literary Creation, Ministry of Culture and Communication, Mr. Joel Widmaier, Artistic Director of the festival, along with the General Director of the Haïti Jazz Foundation, took the time to explain the details of this 18th edition, including the logistical complexities involved in organizing the festival this year due to the country’s precarious security situation.
This edition will take place from March 20 to 22, 2025, across four venues: Quartier Latin, the Brazil-Haïti Cultural Center, the French Institute in Haiti, and the Karibe Hotel.
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This year, the festival aims to be collaborative, inspiring, and 100% Lakay talent. According to the festival organizers, Pap Jazz IT UP is the new flagship concept to be showcased during this 18th edition of the festival. It is a concept that revisits Haitian music by infusing it with a touch of jazz, and several groups have been formed to offer unique performances to the public, especially during the exceptional evenings on March 21 and 22.
For this year, Pap Jazz has smartly used the country’s shutdown to highlight the local music scene. Indeed, while 100% local means a complete absence of major international music names due to logistical challenges, it also presents a golden opportunity to discover our talented young artists, who represent the future of the Haitian jazz scene. Alongside them, celebrities such as James Germain, Syto Cavé, who will transform into a slam artist for the occasion, Joel Widmaier himself, and the current sensation of root music in Haiti, the group Nanm Vodou, among others.
To discover the full program, visit their website: www.papjazzhaiti.org.
It is clear that the country is going through one of the most difficult moments in its history. The moment is challenging to convey the universal message of harmony that could lie behind such a music festival, but precisely, this is where this year’s Pap Jazz aims to be an important act of resistance amid the enormous difficulties facing the city of Port-au-Prince. This gesture perfectly reflects the resilience of the Haitian people, who refuse to be exclusively defined by the image of the surrounding chaos. Committed initiatives such as Jazz for Timoun (a moment of music and joy in a displaced persons camp due to insecurity), The Walls of Commitment, where one can leave a word or a promise for their neighborhood, city, or country, are gestures that demonstrate the festival’s heightened awareness of the deteriorating situation in Port-au-Prince, the festival’s host city.
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The Guédés Festival is a significant event in the Haitian Vodou religion. It takes place every November 1st and 2nd in Haiti, and it is dedicated to paying homage to the dead. Here are some elements to better understand this celebration: Meaning of Guedes: Guédés are spirits of death in the voodoo pantheon. They symbolize the transition between life and the afterlife. Different names are attributed to these spirits: Papa Guédé, Guédé Nibo, Guédé Masaka, Guédé fouillé, Guédé plumage. In the Voodoo concept, the Guédés maintain a harmonious relationship with the dead. Ritual of the Feast of the Gedes: Vodouists clean the graves and bring flowers to honor the memory of the deceased. They dance and sing to the rhythm of vodou and rara music. Vèvè (sacred symbols) are drawn to invoke the spirits. The color black, symbol of mourning, marks the beginning of life in the voodoo world. Purple mauve evokes transformation, and white symbolizes purity. Relationship with Protestants and Christians: Some Protestants reject the Feast of Geeds and organize days of prayer to chase away “evil spirits”. Christians do not pray for their dead, because their faith teaches them that the deceased are welcomed by the Lord. In short, the Guédés festival is a crucial moment for Vodouists, marking the temporary return of spirits to the world of Vodou. It shows respect for the dead and is an integral part of Haitian culture.
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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.
Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.
Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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.
Merci François !
March 15, 2025 - 09:15:29 PM