Somerville - Haiti Observer Blog

Somerville, Haiti, held its first annual "Haiti and Brazil Hit the Ville" joint festival this summer. Somerville is a town that celebrates diversity, and its two biggest immigrant communities, Brazil and Haiti share much in common: their love of soccer, Carnival, and national staple foods, rice and beans. The festival was organized by Somerville Arts Council's Arts Union Program in collaboration with the city of Somerville and SomervilleVIVA, a language exchange program.

Brazil and Haiti first became sister communities in 1978 when Brazil's national soccer hero, Pele, played in Haiti, and the newly composed community anthem, "Haiti e Aqui" was performed. This tribute by Brazil to Haiti solidified the ties of history that have existed between the two nations during the days of the fight for independence.

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