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PAQÉMO, music in the Service of Education and Hope in Haiti

PAQÉMO, short for "Projet Artistique de Quartiers et Éducatif Musical en Orchestre" (Neighborhood Artistic and Educational Orchestral Music Project), is an ambitious initiative launched in 2022 by the Association Musicale et Éducative à Vocation Sociale (AMEVS), co-founded by Jéricho Pierre-Noël and Cecilia Madolena Clénard, Haitian students at Sorbonne University. Today, the project includes other names such as Sargine Any Melissa Bernard, Mohamed Etamine, Ege Tarik Eken, Youssef Naccache, and Sohann List Massaregli, all Sorbonne students dedicated to promoting access to musical education in Haiti—particularly classical music—as a tool for holistic development. The goal of PAQÉMO’s founders is to use music as a means of education, inclusion, and social transformation, integrated alongside the traditional Haitian school curriculum.

Haiti, a jewel to discover

Looking for a change of scenery, breathtaking landscapes, and a unique cultural immersion? Haïti is a little-known destination full of treasures to discover. From its heavenly beaches to its verdant mountains, its captivating history and its gastronomy rich in flavors, Haïti seduces adventurers and culture enthusiasts alike. In this article, dive into the wonders of this Caribbean island and discover why Haïti is a jewel to absolutely explore.

Haïti Wonderland: Technology at the Service of the Haïtian Narrative

On this 220th anniversary of the legendary independence of Haïti, a new initiative is born on the web: Haïti Wonderland. Launched on January 28, 2024, this innovative site’s mission is to revolutionize the way Haïti is perceived online, by highlighting its natural, cultural, historical and human assets. b~An Ambitious Vision~b Haïti Wonderland aspires to a significant change in the perception of Haïti on the Internet. The goal is clear: when you search for “Haïti” on search engines, you should be greeted by beautiful images and inspiring stories. The team behind Haïti Wonderland wants to transform the web to allow only the beauty and wealth of this country to emerge, thus reflecting Haïtian reality. b~Authentic and Immersive Content~b To achieve these goals, Haïti Wonderland regularly publishes news articles and special blogs highlighting Haïti’s beauty, historic destinations, exquisite cuisine and anything else that can spark Haïtian pride. The emphasis is on promoting a positive and authentic image of the country. The experience offered to visitors to the site is also out of the ordinary. Thanks to virtual reality, you can explore the treasures of Haïti from anywhere in the world, providing total immersion in the splendor of this jewel of the Antilles. b~Smart Support and Rewards~b Haïti Wonderland goes beyond by integrating artificial intelligence on its site. This AI is there to provide visitors with all the information they need about Haïti, thus guiding their journey through the site in an interactive way. And that’s not all ! Haïti Wonderland offers an incentive compensation program for contributors. You can earn money by publishing blog posts on the site, rewarded based on the number of views generated. b~Commitment to Narrative Change~b The founder of Haïti Wonderland, Appolon Guy Alain, sees his initiative as a way to actively participate in changing the Haïtian narrative on the Internet. It is open to any collaboration and support aimed at achieving this common objective of improving the image of Haïti online. Through Haïti Wonderland, Appolon also wishes to raise awareness among online media to stop broadcasting demeaning images of Haïti that contribute to tarnishing its reputation. He calls for collective commitment to present the best version of Haïti. To discover the beauty of Haïti from a new perspective, visit the website: https://haitiwonderland.com or download the application from Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id =com.appographic.haitiwonderland. For all correspondence, contact them by email at contact@haitiwonderland.com. Haïti Wonderland: Rediscover, Share, Marvel.

What is the capital of Haiti?

Port-au-Prince is the vibrant and historic capital of Haiti. Located on the bay of the same name, this city is much more than just an administrative center. It embodies the soul of the country through its history, vibrant culture, and resilience in the face of challenges. Let’s discover why Port-au-Prince is the beating heart of Haiti.

Guédés: When Haïti celebrates its ancestors with color and fervor

Every November 1st and 2nd, Haïti comes alive with the colors black and purple to celebrate the Guédés, spirits venerated in the voodoo religion, symbols of a powerful bond between the living and the dead. Fascinating, indomitable and provocative, the Guédés form a true family in the pantheon of Haitian voodoo, where they are respected for their role as spiritual guides of the deceased to the afterlife. Led by iconic figures such as the legendary Baron Samedi and his companion Grann Brigitte, the Guédés embody the paradoxes of life and death. Each Baron has a unique personality: Baron Cimetière, Baron Kriminel, and Baron La Croix are the guardians of the souls that wander on the borders of the world of the dead. Together, they form a powerful and somewhat frightening presence, but one that is deeply rooted in Haitian culture. The Guédés are not like other voodoo spirits; they demonstrate their fearlessness in a spectacular way. Accustomed to death, they are fearless and are provocative: they eat glass, raw peppers, and coat their sensitive parts with rum and pepper. These gestures mark their indifference to danger and remind us that they have already known earthly life. They are thus psychopomps – these beings who lead the souls of the dead – and act as bridges between the world of the living and that of the dead. Some Guédés, like Guédé Nibo, wear black, purple, and white clothing, each with unique characteristics. They are many and varied: Guédé Fouillé, Guédé Loraj, Papa Guédé, and many others. These are the spirits who, each year, remind Haitians of the importance of remembering and honoring the deceased. The cult of the Guédés is not only religious; it is also cultural and historical. According to tradition, their spiritual territory, or “Fètomè” – nicknamed the “Country without Hats” – is a place where the souls of ancestors reside. According to stories, the origins of this cult go back to the Abomey plateau, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Dahomey, in Africa, where death and life coexist in a form of symbiosis. This celebration in Haïti even finds echoes in ancient history. The Romans also honored their dead with the “Fête des Lémuria”, which took place in February, to ward off spirits and restore peace between the world of the living and that of the deceased. For Haitians, honoring the Guédés is about accepting death as a part of life and celebrating the invisible bonds that unite us with those who have left us. It is also a way of resisting, because life, despite its challenges, must be celebrated in all its complexity and depth.

Francophone Youth Parliament: A Key Institution for Bringing Together Francophone Youth

The Francophone Youth Parliament (PFJ) is an entity of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF), which itself is part of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). Established in 1999 during the Moncton Summit in Canada, this parliament for Francophone youth provides a genuine opportunity to forge connections among young people from the Francophone world. This real platform for debate and advocacy allows young people to have their voices heard and actively participate in shaping the future of La Francophonie. The body meets sequentially, with young people from almost all Francophone backgrounds gathering at each edition to discuss contemporary issues affecting global youth, such as precariousness, a lack of faith in democracy, characterized by a high number of young people abstaining from elections, a lack of civic engagement, the fight against inequalities, climate change, and even the impact of social media on youth. It is important to note that although the decisions made during these meetings are not legally binding, they remain powerful tools to describe the real will and needs of youth in the Francophone space, with the aim of facilitating actions by leaders.

NexoCash Haiti: The Virtual Card Revolution for Everyone

In a world where digital transactions are becoming essential, NexoCash Haïti is establishing itself as an essential solution for anyone looking to send or receive money with ease.

Kre-Yole: A Platform that Promotes Local Production and Haitian Culture

Kre-Yole, a Haitian company dedicated to the promotion and sale of local, artisanal and agricultural products. Founded with the aim of highlighting Haiti’s cultural richness and unique talents, Kre-Yole positions itself as a sales channel allowing artisans, agricultural producers and others to share their creations with the world.

Haiti: The Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) Launches the 2025-2030 Recovery and Development Plan from the Far North

Haiti launches its 2025-2030 Recovery Plan from the Far North: economy, social services and institutions, heading for a more prosperous future.