News / Literature

IMANA by DarlinJohancy

In Arabic, the family of words Amin, Iman or imam, imana designate faith, trust, security. This word is also present in the Swahili language (Kenya, Tanzania, East Congo Kinshasa) in the form imani: trust. "The term Imana is not the equivalent of God-Goddess which is a Western vision of divinity. Indeed,: "the term "imana" does not designate above all a personal being that should be honored and implored, but a diffuse fluid that should be captured." In other words, Imana is a neutral vital force that manifests itself in the inner cosmos of each living being." ¹ Imana, by Michel Darlin Johancy is a musical, symphonic and spiritual journey through three geographies: an inner geography of meditation, a cultural identity journey and an artistic musical stroll. These three itineraries unfold in Haitian spaces. This symphonic and spiritual journey takes place in 10 stages or 10 movements.

Carrefour: Launch of the 18th edition of Week-end Poétique

After "No to violence", the theme of the previous edition, "I read, I grow" is the theme around which the 18th edition of Week-end Poétique will take place, scheduled for January 31, 2025 at Carrefour. As a special guest, this edition will welcome Jean-Rony Charles, author of Pitié, a short story that, in its depth, focuses on the human condition, in particular the precarious life situations that many people face on a daily basis. Exhibitions, workshops, performances and book signings are among the various activities on the program for this 18th edition. The Week-end Poétique is not only a relaxing activity, but a real space for engagement, offering activities that have a direct impact on the Carrefour community. Events of a social, cultural, artistic, literary, etc. nature constitute its heart and contribute to enriching local life.

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.

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.

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.

Jennifer EUGÈNE: A Pen in Service of Humanity

Jennifer EUGÈNE was born in Port-au-Prince on May 1st, 1995. She is an author and lawyer by training, and she skillfully combines her two passions: the defense of human rights and writing. From a young age, she found shelter and refuge in words, offering solace against a world that is often too chaotic and difficult. While other young people of her age shared their lives out loud, she immersed herself in her own universe, that of writing. At the age of fourteen, writing became for her more than just a hobby: it became a means of finding inner peace, overcoming struggles, and understanding herself. It was in this context that she found her true vocation.

Letter to My Favorite Author: An Initiative by CSimon Publishing and the Port-au-Prince Book Fair

The "Letter to My Favorite Author" contest is a joint initiative by CSmon Publishing, a publishing house based in Virginia, USA, and the Port-au-Prince Book Fair. The contest aims to create a platform where young literature enthusiasts can express their affection and admiration for the authors who have impacted their lives through a letter dedicated to them. This letter can be written in Haitian Creole or French by any young person aged 18 to 30 living in Haiti. The author to whom the letter is addressed can be Haitian or foreign, and even from the medieval period. The contest began on January 27, with registration closing on that date, and will continue until April 15, when the prizes will be awarded. The awards, which are 75,000 gourdes for the winner, 50,000 gourdes for the second place, and 25,000 gourdes for third place, will be presented during the event "Living in Prose and Poetry," organized annually by the Port-au-Prince Book Fair, to be held in 2025 at the French Institute in Haiti.

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.