jacmel - Haiti Observer Blog

Haiti's most famously remembered, celebrated and praised writers seemed to all tend towards not just the literary arts, but a decidedly political activism. Whether it is the art which inspired the politics or the politics which gave way to the great art, in the case of the writings of Rene Depestre, both appear hand-in-hand, twain catalysts which drove him to create essays, novels, short stories and his famous poetry.

Rene Depestre was born in Jacmel on August 29, 1926, but, when his father died ten years later, he went to Port-au-Prince to live with his grandmother. The nostalgia of leaving his remaining family would later greatly influence his work. His debut poetry collection, entitled, 'Étincelles' was published in 1945. Just shy of 20 years old he also co-founded a magazine which would later have the distinction of having an edition seized by the government in their first year for the homage paid to Breton.

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The list of ordinary men, not kings or presidents or any other in an official capacity, who have influenced true and lasting forward movement in their home countries, is a short one. The list of Haitian writers who have created a legacy of literary, social and political worth is shorter still. The efforts of one such ordinary Haitian writer puts him at the pinnacle of both lists and elevates him from an ordinary Haitian writer to a legend of extraordinary significance to Haiti, it's Diaspora and many other countries in the world.

Morisseau-Leroy lived a long life from 1912 to 1998. At the beginning, his upbringing in a prosperous mulatto family saw him well-educated and fluent in French and English. His lucky, unchallenged existence was soon broadened by the addition of a wife, whom he credited as his muse, who famously admired his horsemanship, and would later give him three children.

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Jacmel is a small town located in the southern part of Haiti and founded in 1698. Being such a historic town, the town has a number of buildings that has a lot of historic value and significance. Jacmel was one of the regions of Haiti that suffered immensely during the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Since the region holds a lot of historic importance, efforts have been taken to restore as well as build new buildings in the area.

Three significant buildings are being constructed in Jacmel at the moment - a Convention Center, the new communal market and an Administrative Complex. On May 3rd, 2013, the President, Michel Martelly, paid a visit to Jacmel to check on progress of these constructions. The construction of these buildings are estimated to be over $3 million and is being funded by the Interamerican Development Bank.

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Haiti, the poorest of all countries in the Western Hemisphere, has seen many Presidents since its independence in 1804. Most of them worked for their own personal benefits and some turned out to be dictators. Many of the Presidents eventually met a gruesome end but one President whose tale is sung till date was Louis Mondestin Florvil Hyppolite.

Louis Mondestin Florvil Hyppolite or popularly known as Florvil Hyppolite, was born in 1828. The constitutional council of Haiti elected and installed him as the President of Haiti in the year 1889. On 17th October 1889, Louis Mondestin Florvil Hyppolite took charge of the office of President. He was a general and a career soldier but it was also reported that Florvil Hyppolite was deeply influenced by Victoire Jean-Baptiste. Victoire was the mistress of Tirésias Simon Sam. After the death of Florvil Hyppolite, Tirésias Simon Sam became the President of Haiti.

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Born in Jacmel in 1841 to a well-to-do mulatto couple, Hannibal Price began life above the curve. His well-funded education gave him the means to rise high in various respects and he became known as an author as well as a diplomat, having had the post of ambassador from Haiti to the United States for three years from 1890 until his death in 1893.

Price also acted as a Provisional Government Counselor after President Michel Domingue's fall in 1875 and was a serious advocate of Florvil Hyppolite. During the time he played the role of Minister Plenipotentiary to Washington he wrote the book he would be most known for entitled, 'De la Réhabilitation de la Race Noire par la République d'Haïti' (On the Rehabilitation of the Black Race by the Republic of Haiti). This further journey into authorship and the subject matter discussed was said to be in answer to 'Hayti or the Black Republic' by Spenser St. John. Published posthumously, the book sets about to comprehensively show all the possibilities for Haiti if the chains of illiteracy and the consuming practice of vodou were not in existence. It also endeavored to defend the Negro race and present the country to the foreign world in a more friendly light through the discourse of the history and social life of Haiti so voluminously documented within the pages.

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In synchronization, two Haitian college friends lives' have run on parallel tracks. Michel Adrien and Ulrick Cherubin are both mayors of their adopted towns in Quebec, Canada. Adrien runs the town of Mont-Laurier and Cherubin, Amos. Each has experienced popularity with their constituents, with multiple terms of office.

Cherubin, almost 70, and Adrien, in his mid-60s, first got acquainted at Port-au-Prince University during the 1960s. They had each decided on a teaching career, and it was Adrien, with better math skills, who helped Cherubin meet his general education requirements.

During Cherubin and Adrien's early life, Haiti suffered under the tyrannous reigns of François Duvalier and son, Jean-Claude. Adrien left Haiti after graduation, immigrating to Montreal. Within a year, he found a teaching position in Mont-Laurier. Although a town with little racial diversity, he felt accepted at once. Cherubin, who left Haiti in 1971, also found acceptance in Amos. He arrived there on the offer of a teaching position in 1973.

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Bassins Bleu's waterfalls are secreted high in the hills above the jewel of Jacmel Bay. The terrain surrounding the falls is rugged with tors and deep gorges, lush vegetation, and vibrant-hued tropical birds, perching in trees. Abundant forest-cover suffuses the hills and valleys. The Haiti tourist bureau, recognizing the waterfalls as a drawing card, has promoted it as the can't-miss spot to visit.

To access Bassins Bleu, you must travel either by horse or recreational vehicle. Once there, you can explore the falls by high-diving off an outcropping into the basins, frolic underneath the falls, or discover one of many caves made private by tall-standing forest vegetation. Several waterfalls make up Bassins Bleu, but three stand out as exquisite: Bassin Palmiste, Bassin Yes, and Bassin Clair.

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Haitian radio is the chief means of media communication on the island. Few have income to buy a TV, and those who have sets are subject to unreliable electricity service. Going online to access news coverage is impossible for all but the rich. Not only is newspaper distribution minimal, but 80% of the population are illiterate. The only information source available to everyone is the radio and radio stations are plentiful in Haiti. Reception is widely accessible in virtually every village on the island. Radios cost little to own and run on batteries.

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Being one of the major and historical towns in Haiti, Jacmel has become a popular tourist destination. It is among the cities that many tourists visit because of everything it has to offer. Jacmel, which is the capital of the Sud-Est department, is known for its charm, history, arts and architecture, among others.

Staying in Jacmel for a vacation is comfortable, given the number of guesthouses and hotels available in the town. What's better is that the accommodation in Jacmel is normally cheaper than in other cities. There are several famous hotels in the town, including Hotel Cyvadier, Hotel Florita and high-end Cap Lamandou Hotel.

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The city of Jacmel has many things going for it. Beside the beautiful beaches with spectacular view and. Beside its historic, 19th century colonial houses which were inhabited by wealthy coffee merchants, Jacmel is also popular for its carnival

For a city considered today to be the cultural capital of Haiti, one very important annual event is Jacmel Carnival. I is usually held one week before the National Carnival in Haiti. During this time, Haitians of all background, rich, poor, black, white and mulatos all merge in the city with only one objective, to experience the best Haitian Carnival of the year.

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