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Events and Festivals April 08, 2025

Pap Jazz 2025, a Celebration of Haiti’s Great Musical Richness

On Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Karibe Convention Center in Juvenat transformed into a true cultural temple to close the 18th edition of the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival (PAPJAZZ). This year, the festival took place under the evocative theme "PAP JAZZ it UP", and it was held in three sites primarily located in the Pétion-Ville commune. The festival took place entirely at these wonderful musical venues: a reference was made to the Latin Quarter, the Haiti-Brazil Cultural Center, and the Karibe Hotel. Due to the deteriorating situation in downtown Port-au-Prince in recent times, the French Institute site had to be abandoned by the festival organizers. Nevertheless, we can absolutely call this 18th edition of Pap Jazz a success. Indeed, this festival, now a major event of the Haitian year, was especially marked this year by the great resilience and determination of the organizers who were able to adapt to the country’s rhythm in order to satisfy their loyal festival-goers. Despite the difficult context, these festival-goers did not miss the opportunity to escape their harsh daily lives through music. It’s also important to note that this 18th edition of Pap Jazz took place after two postponements, at the very beginning of this year, with the last one occurring in March due to insecurity. In this regard, it is appropriate to call the monumental achievement of the Haïti Jazz Foundation and their partners an exceptional feat, as they were not discouraged and showed remarkable tenacity, while adapting to offer Port-au-Prince and its surroundings this moment of growth, beyond the city’s great sorrow, through music.

Par Moise Francois |
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Culture May 30, 2024

Why do some people ignore the Guede party?

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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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.

Haïti Wonderland: How to Rewrite the Narrative of Haïti on the Web?

For the last three decades the internet has transformed the way people live, access information and promote worthy causes. Institutions that embrace this technology lead the way in their respective industries and last, while countries that embrace this technology and wisely implement it enable themselves to thrive and build sustainable economies. After decades of existence, the internet has been shared with mainly two groups of people; those who use it as a tool to build, and those who use it as a tool of destruction. Those who see the internet as a bridge to make a positive impact in the world and those who see it as the comfy bed to never leave, hence, the difference between the consumer and producer. Unfortunately our beloved home, Haiti, has been of the former mindset. Is it a lack of vision, lack of skills and competences or is it lack of hard working individuals? Regardless what it is or had been for decades, now is the time to change the paradigm on all fronts necessary and reshape the future. If the past decades have been ruled by non-production and negative press, now is the time to change the paradigm by producing and using the limitless of the web to sell the beauty, the culture and the greatness of Haïti to the rest of the world. If the past has been ruled with a selective truth and an effort to showcase the worst and by extension create the worst narrative, now, my fellow Haitian, regardless of where you are on this planet, is the time for us to undertake this mission, to take responsibility and recreate the narrative of our mother land. A narrative based on truth and transparency, a narrative that tells the story of who we are and certainly who we are not, a narrative to invite the world to explore and see for themselves. It is our duty. If not now, when? If not you and I, then, who? Our main mission at Haïti Wonderland is to rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Then use the internet to bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map once again. Those are what motivate us, the oxygen that we breath, they are the reason we wake up in the morning and fight. We didn’t choose this path because we know it will be easy but we choose it because: 1. It is a noble cause 2. It is necessary and 3. It must be done. But must importantly we take this path because we know you and every Haitian in this world, who knows the truth about Haïti are tired with what you see when typing Haïti on the web, and at the same time understand that something must change, and it must be done as soon as possible. We know you are ready for this, and together we will change the narrative of Haïti on the web and we will bring Haïti back to the top of the touristic destination map. This is a call of duty to you, regardless of your field of endeavor or where you’re located in this world. This is a call to join (http://haitiwonderland.com) to first see for yourself the movement you’re joining, then create your own account and start creating and sharing. Together we will rewrite the narrative of Haïti on the web. Thank you for joining this worthy cause. Let’s invite the world to discover the true face of Haiti.

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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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