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Haiti: Camp Louise: A Hidden Treasure in the Heart of Acul du Nord Bay

At the entrance to Haiti’s beautiful Baie de l’Acul du Nord lies an oasis of tranquility and natural beauty: Camp Louise, more affectionately known as Saint Michel Beach. With its black sand and rushing swells, this beach offers a spellbinding experience that captures the wild spirit of nature. As soon as you set foot on this enchanting shore, you are enveloped by an atmosphere of mystery and serenity. The "ajoupas" dotted along the beach are home to modest restaurants serving local delicacies, from fresh grilled fish to succulent conch. With every bite, you taste the exquisite fusion of authentic flavors that celebrate Haiti’s culinary richness. On your right, majestically sits the "M&M" restaurant, ready to delight your taste buds with its irresistible specialties, available to serve you at the end of the week, to crown your beach days with an exquisite gastronomic note. Despite its proximity to the bustling town of Cap-Haïtien, located just 26 kilometers away, Camp Louise seems like a world apart. Accessible both by road and by sea, by jet ski from the neighboring beaches of Gaderas and Labadie, this beach offers a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation or simply connection with nature, Camp Louise will meet all your desires. Its turquoise waters invite you to swim, its sandy beaches invite you to relax, and its warm atmosphere inspires wonder. For travelers seeking authentic experiences and breathtaking scenery, Camp Louise proves to be a hidden treasure worth discovering and celebrating. So, let yourself be carried away by the captivating magic of this rare pearl in the heart of the Bay of Acul du Nord, and let your worries float away with the waves that gently caress its shores.

Children’s Carnival in Cap-Haïtien: A festive atmosphere in the heart of the city

Discover the Children's Carnival in Cap-Haïtien, a joyful celebration full of color and Haitian traditions!

A Pre-Parade to Kick Off the Festivities

Jacmel Opens Carnival 2026 with Splendor and Creativity

Christmas in Haiti: Between Magic, Discoveries and Delicacies

The joyful ringing of bells echoes through the streets of Haïti as the holiday season approaches. Christmas is a magical time when the streets light up, families gather and a warm atmosphere invades the island. Between traditions, cultural discoveries and gourmet feasts, Christmas in Haïti promises a unique experience. b~The Magic of Lights and Decorations~b From the beginning of December, Haïti is adorned with sparkling lights and festive decorations. The markets come alive with shimmering garlands, twinkling stars and ornate fir trees. The streets of Port-au-Prince in Jacmel shine with a special magic, inviting locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the festive spirit. b~Haitian Traditions at Christmas~b Christmas in Haïti is celebrated with a unique combination of religious traditions and local customs. Midnight Mass is a deeply rooted tradition, drawing worshipers to churches to celebrate the birth of Jesus in a vibrant atmosphere of song and prayer. A popular tradition is the "Dawn Mass" which takes place at dawn on December 25. The faithful gather to welcome Christmas Day with special fervor, testifying to the deep spirituality that permeates the festivities. The festivities are not limited to churches. Street parades, folk dances and concerts are commonplace, creating a joyful atmosphere throughout the country. Traditional Haitian music, such as direct compass and voodoo, adds a special dimension to these celebrations. b~Cultural Discoveries: Haitian Crafts~b Christmas is also an ideal opportunity to discover unique Haitian crafts. Christmas markets offer a variety of handicrafts, such as wooden sculptures, vivid paintings, wrought iron items and traditional jewelry. These works of art reflect the artistic talent of the Haitian people and provide unique and meaningful gifts. Local markets, such as the Ferrier market in Cap-Haitien and the Jacmel market, are essential places to discover the authenticity of Haitian crafts. These purchases also help support local artists and the community economy. b~Gourmet Feasts: Christmas Cuisine~b Christmas in Haïti is also a gastronomic celebration. Families gather around festive tables laden with traditional culinary delights. “Joumou soup”, a pumpkin soup, is an essential specialty of the holiday season. Pork, lamb and chicken dishes are also common, accompanied by rice and local vegetables. Traditional desserts, such as “Pen patat” and “Tablèt Pistach,” add a sweet touch to the celebration. Tropical fruits, such as mangoes and bananas, are also often present on Christmas tables, recalling the richness of Haitian biodiversity. Christmas in Haïti is a vibrant celebration that blends the magic of lights, religious traditions, local crafts and delicious cuisine. It is a time when joy and generosity are in the spotlight, and when Haitians open their hearts to share the magic of the season with the world.

Petit-Goave, Haiti: Decryption of the 3rd rara weekend!

It is more and more obvious that in Petit-Goave the media space is absorbed by the rivalry between Ratyèfè, triple champions and lambi gran lambi dlo, a former champion. The past weekend was once again irrefutable proof of the media tension over these two rival bands. With a carnival-like appearance, the fan club of the first dressed in a white shirt, short orange-yellow skirt, purple tie, black boot; the other dressed in a traditional hat, yellow jersey, red pants, red or yellow tennis shoes. This marriage of colors with the taste of carnival is the expression of cultural diversity as La Fontaine said in his book tales and short stories "diversity is my motto." This formula can adapt well to the rara. If it is true in Léogane this marriage of color has existed for ages. It is no less true that this was the case in Petit-Goave because we had to wait for the strong return of Ratyèfè in 2018 to see the rara fan clubs dress differently each new weekend. Last Saturday more than one expected a new face to face between Lambi gran dlo and Ratyèfè because the latter weighed anchor in the direction of the 2nd plain and the latter, in the direction of the city center. Less than in any other circumstance, this duel at the top was obvious. If for some comments it was a favorable opportunity for Lambi to take his revenge on his rival compared to the previous weekend because he had done the profile although he had the advantage because he was two against one. (Lambi,chenn tamarin vs Ratyèfè). This enormous advantage did not work in their favor because the hours that had passed worked against them, as proof they had gone to sleep while ratyèfè remained to play for at least 30 more rounds. Surprisingly but not surprisingly during the meeting long awaited by less than one, at the Acul not far from the Saint Jean-Baptiste church, lambi had decided not to play anymore. However, according to the customs and costumes of the rara when there are two bands, the one who stops playing first, shows weakness and surrender. Consequently, the other who is opposite out of decency and good morals has no other choice to do the same. It follows that for the umpteenth time the great power formation (lambi grand dlo) was unable to take revenge on its rival. For many cultural journalists who were present to witness this event did not have their tongue in their pocket to give their impression of Ratyèfè’s monster performance. This is the case for Brignol, a cultural commentary which wondered if Ratyèfè had the devil in his body so that the most incredulous were in their feeling of joy. On Sunday evening this monster of animation once again made its mark in the art of its know-how. This is what explains the almost unanimity among the cultural journalists of Petit-Goâve in granting first place to this band for its performance and its musical discipline. So, for this weekend according to the circle of cultural journalists of Petit-Goave and with the approval of many other cultural comments. We have the following classification: 1st Ratyèfè 2nd Grap Kenèp 3rd Orgueil de la jeunesse

Conference / Festival Quatre Chemins / 21st edition

The impact of collective and individual trauma on the personal development of young people in Port-au-Prince While writers, actors, dancers, poets, among others, have gratified us with their performances, the master’s degree student in psychology at the Faculty of Human Sciences (FASCH), Lourdya Blaise, spoke with the audience about trauma. Structured around the theme "Youth and Trauma, analysis of the impact of collective and individual trauma on the personal development of young people living in Port-au-Prince between 2010-2024", this conference gave rise to enriching discussions. During this meeting, moderated by Michaël Formilus, Ms. Blaise showed how the events that have taken place in the country have caused cases of trauma among Haitians. According to the student, citing the American Psychological Association, we speak of trauma as a consequence of trauma. The latter is explained by the fact that we feel threatened, whether it is the person in question or their loved ones. However, she specifies that a collective trauma remains depending on the impact that the event has on the individual. To illustrate her remarks, she mentioned the earthquake of January 12, 2010, considered a collective trauma, insofar as it still occupies our minds. This tragedy reminds us of the disappearance of our loved ones and enormous losses. This is the case of a trauma that becomes a collective trauma. For the student, it should be emphasized that when an event occurs, some people are traumatized and others are not. According to him, the violence of armed gangs is not perceived in the same way, says Ms. Blaise. There are people who have fled their homes but are not traumatized. In fact, some people see traumatic situations as a passing event, she says. The speaker also spoke about collective trauma, which, according to him, preoccupies the mind, even if we no longer experience it. It manifests itself in several forms: lack of sleep, fear psychosis, intrusive thoughts, intense heartbeat, etc. Generally, symptoms related to trauma are hard to die. When it persists, it becomes acute stress. To deal with it, we must talk to other people. If the situation persists, acute stress turns into a phase of post-traumatic stress; in this case, we must confide in a trusted person or go see a mental health specialist, she advises. In her presentation, Lourdya Bazile also drew attention to the psychological state of children in these times. According to the presenter, children are also facing this crisis situation, even if they do not talk about it to their parents. As much as adults, children also plan their future. Faced with flouted school years, they become pensive and worried, she stressed. They withdraw. The child who used to be brilliant can become violent and perform less well at school. Parents are called upon to listen to them and understand them. A good moment of exchange, rich in practical advice. The audience participated fully. In turn, the presenter invites them to breathe better and meditate. "We live in a country where worries mix, we must take time for ourselves, do sports, eat well, make sure that the sleeping space is clean and take time for ourselves. There is more than one way to find calm," recalls the psychologist. Gertrude Jean-Louis