Culture - Haiti Observer Blog

Digicel, an active partner with the government of Haiti (GOH), held its annual award presentation ceremony to recognize outstanding contributions and achievements of entrepreneurs. Eight awards were handed out at the event with 700 attendees, among them GOH officials and representatives of the private sector.

The top-award recipient, Haitian entrepreneur Lionel Pressoir, received awards in two categories. He won the coveted "Digicel Entrepreneur of the Year 2012" in addition to the "Digicel Education, Tourism, and Culture" award.

Pressoir won for his involvement in reviving the Haitian tourism industry. He started Lojistik SA to create tailored travel packages to incentivize travelers to come to Haiti. Before his involvement in the tourism industry, Pressoir successfully set up two apparel companies that hired 650 employees. In addition to his business activities, he established Foundation Destination Haiti to support non-government organizations helping in the country's reconstruction efforts.

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An on-going debate over whether the practice of voodoo is being threatened by the amended 1987 Constitution has stirred the embers of its practitioners' fears.

Voodoo, brought to Haiti by Congolese slaves, became entrenched in Haitian culture, early in its history.

In 1935, under the rule of Stenio Vincent, the 1935 Decree Law defined voodoo as a superstitious belief system and banned the practice of it. For over 50 years, the Decree Law was not tampered with. By 1987, though, the amended Constitution struck down the Decree Law with Article 297, invalidating the definition of voodoo as a superstitious practice. A presidential decree on April 4, 2003, further legitimized the voodoo faith. But in May 2011, Article 297 was annulled, and has given rise to fears that voodooists would suffer persecution for their beliefs.

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This was one of the few positive things coming out of Haiti recently. After disasters such as Hurricane, flood, political demonstration, it was refreshing to see this fashion show out of Haiti. Haiti held its first fashion week since the 2012 hurricane in Haiti.

We were able to enjoy the presentation of several dozen designers who were present to showed off their latest designs concentrated into a tropic-centric creations. Haiti Fashion show was able this time to show in the various styles the very strong culture that exists in Haiti.

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The 6th edition "Destination Aquin-Festival International Traditional Music and Dance" was organized from 28 March, 2013 to 30 March, 2013. The theme of the festival was 'The wink to Africa'. The festival brought together hundreds of participants and the aim of the festival was to let people know about the roots of the festival. The cultural event aimed or focused on the culture of Africa and was a medium to show honor and respect to Aimé Césaire, who is regarded as the father of negritude. The cultural program was also aimed towards celebrating the birth centenary of Aimé Césaire.

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One place that has been trying to keep the spirit of a Jewish community in Haiti was Gilbert Bigio's mansion. This Jewish community center is located in Port-au-Prince and it was where Haiti's only Torah scroll was kept, an Israeli flag fluttered from the rooftop and each Passover the country's 50 or so Jews would gather for a Seder, singing or practice their Jewish religion in Haiti.

Like many buildings around port au Prince, the center was destroyed in the Jan. 12 earthquake that leveled much of this city. There are no evidence that any of the members of the Jewish community living in Haiti were known to have been killed in the Haiti earthquake. According to report, since Haiti earthquake, there are only about 15 or so Jews left in Haiti, out of a total population of 9 million. And they spend most of their time in Miami or the neighboring Dominican Republic because conditions at home are so difficult.

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