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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.

CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian Literature

Haïti is a true powerhouse in today’s literary world. For centuries, the country has been endowed with remarkable intellectual wealth that has led to exceptional achievements. Today, with more than 20 major active writers, whose works resonate far beyond Haitian borders, Haïti is one of the countries with the highest number of writers per capita. Among these writers, we can mention Edwige Danticat, Pulitzer Prize winner; Louis-Philippe d’Alambert, Goncourt Prize for Poetry in 2024; René Depestre, Goncourt Prize for Novels in 1982; Dany Laferrière, Renaudot Prize winner and member of the French Academy; Lyonel Trouillot and Frankétienne, globally known for their works; not to forget the current star of Haitian literature, finalist of the 2022 Goncourt Prize with his masterpiece Une somme humaine, referring to Makenzy Orcel. These names stand alongside legendary figures such as Jacques Roumain, Anténor Firmin, Jacques Stéphen Alexis, and Oswald Durant, forming significant marks on world culture through their writings. Today, this literary tradition continues to nourish new talents, but one problem persists: the absence of serious and well-structured Haitian publishing houses in sufficient quantity to support these young authors.

LESPWA: When writing becomes a light for Haitian youth

In a country where daily difficulties can often seem insurmountable, Haitian youth need sources of inspiration to move forward. The LESPWA writing contest, initiated by Oriol ANTOINE, photographer and cultural activist, offers young people a unique opportunity to express themselves through words and share a message of encouragement and resilience.

Anténor Firmin, the genius of the 19th century Haitian

Joseph-Auguste Anténor Firmin was born on October 28, 1850 in Cap-Haïtien, in a Haïti recently emancipated from the colonial yoke, he died on September 19, 1911 at the age of 60 in exile. He is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic intellectual figures of his time. His life, marked by an exceptional career in the political, literary and diplomatic fields, illustrates the genius of a Haitian intellectual whose contributions have left an indelible mark on history.

Ayiti Liv: A Digital Initiative for the Preservation of Haitian Literary Heritage

"Ayiti Liv" is an online platform dedicated strictly to promoting Haitian literature. It will be operational starting May 1, 2025, and will feature about 300 major works of Haitian literature, written by over 70 authors. Full public access will be granted for its launch phase. Jean Venel Casseus, one of the platform’s initiators, explains that this initiative was created to fill a significant gap, and this vast project is being carried out by him and a passionate team of Haitian literature lovers.

Frankétienne, the Nobel Prize Winner

Frankétienne is the stage name of the man who officially bore the name Jean-Pierre Basilic Dantor. He was born in the Artibonite department of Haïti on April 12, 1936. His father, who did not recognize him at birth, was, according to his own account, an American industrialist who had come to do business in Haiti, and his mother was an Artibonite farmer. This makes Frank a similar case to the great Jamaican artist Bob Marley, who had a typical story, in addition to the fact that both men made their country known abroad and left their mark on their land from within through their art. Frank died on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Delmas, his home town for decades. He was about to celebrate his 89th birthday.

The literary and philosophical club of Galette-Chambon reveals its second edition: a journey to the heart of books

In an atmosphere of madness, at the Auditorium Saint Jean Marie Vianney de Galette-Chambon, where the laughs broke out, the music resounded, and the talents were dismented, started the second edition of the reading competition, around the theme "Ann Li pou n chanje peyi n ». This initiative, organized by the literary and philosophical club of Galette Chambon (CLPGACH) on Friday 06 October 2024, was marked by an overflowing passion within the public. The spectators came for several reasons: to support the applicants and live their presentations. The works, as "thus spoke of the uncle", "the vocation of the elite" of Jean Price Mars, "the ten black men" of Etzer vilary and "the courage to live in Haïti in the 21st century" of Hérold Toussaint, present innovative arguments linked to the societal context. They intertwine with folklore, Haitian culture, sociology and anthropology. These books are given to the applicants for a period of 15 days. Back, they come with their summaries and, after each presentation, in turn, reveal new perspectives on burning questions and delicate themes from works, while taking into account the concepts learned in public speaking. In this arena where the verve and the verb clash as well as logic, conviction, precision and clarity, it is a question of "saying all in a few words". The judgments are based on three criteria: the methodology concerning the substance and the form of the work; The eloquence which concerns verbal and non -verbal discourse (micro management, good pronunciation, etc.); And finally, an essential criterion: understanding. This is to assess whether the applicant has controlled the work. Questions can be asked without ignoring the context in which he lives. In addition, assistants have the opportunity to vote for the applicant who charmed them the most. This vote is precious at a higher level. Note that this vote can be made not only face -to -face but also online on our Facebook page CLPGACH. In addition, the public has always changed well through this trip to the universe of regional authors. The latter weave the frame and make vital the very repertoire of the competition vital, made up of impactful works such as "the price of irresponsibility" of Montuma Murat, "the return to citizen responsibility" written by Jean Jacquesson Thelucier and "Courage to live in Haïti in the 21st century "Professor Hérold Toussaint, to name a few. Although they died, some writers still live at the heart of our situation through their inheritance. Among them, it is necessary to quote: "the vocation of the elite" of Doctor Jean Price Mars, "the ten black men" of Etzer Villaire and "the Governor of the dew" by Jacques Roumain, as well as so many others . For this literary event to be moving and meets expectations for this second edition, many sacrifices are necessary on the part of the staff as well as the public which never leaves us alone. In this sense, we would like to thank them and call all those wishing to support this event. Indeed, if this competition is a solution found to advance together towards a common goal, its success depends on everyone’s commitment. About two years ago, the security climate in the area was not conducive to the completion of the competition. Although it is not yet ideal today, it is time to triumph over obscurantism and fight the dictatorship of ambient ignorance.

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.

With the CLPGACH, the commune of Ganthier triumphs over obscurantism and the dictatorship of ambient ignorance

Following the assault, and the hubs of the displaced on the night of July 21, 2024 in Ganthier; This Sunday, October 06, 2024, it was a gigantic crowd that swept through Saint Jean Marie Vianney, with cries, chant "Ann li pou n Chanje Gantye". They crisscrossed several corners of the establishment and danced the Jolivettes, at the height of the rooms in order to demonstrate their contents. Well planted decor, wooded walls, in the presence of many professionals and notaries; The initiative organized by the literary and philosophical club of Galette-Chambon (CLPGACH) brought together several hundred people who had come to encourage young warriors and overheated them at battle. We did not expect that in the midst of a chronic crisis, multifaceted that such a struggle would have triggered. This is the second time, reading was right in Ganthier. Thanks to the CLPGACH, the new warriors- readers won the great victory, at the right time, where the Gantiens.Ses hoped at all costs a liberation from the town.