Jonas Attis Kanaval 2015 - Kenbe Kilti Nou - Feat. Mirla Lolo Boukman (Video)

Tande Haiti Kanaval 2015 saa... Jonas Attis Kanaval 2015 - Kenbe Kilti Nou - Feat. Mirla Lolo

Boukman Kisa-w panse de Kanaval saa?



 

Follow Jah Launch Two Carnival Songs Simultaneously

The walking band Follow Jah innovates for the Carnival 2015, by simultaneously launching its new Carnival song (Pran Konsyans) and the remix of a previous song (Ayisyen fo pran konsyans, 2013), performed by the Malian DJ Mo DJ.

Mo DJ, is one of the first to remix African music, with a little drum machine that revolutionized the dance floor, "the Djembeni" (literally: small djembe). He has collaborated with many artists, including the Malians Salif Keïta and Amadou et Mariam. Based in Paris, Mo DJ is currently resident DJ in several clubs of the French capital. It was on the occasion of the "Odyssey of Black Music" event that he met the walking band Based in Paris, Mo DJ is currently resident DJ in several clubs of the French capital. It was on the occasion of the "Odyssey of Black Music" event that he met the walking

The remix of the meringue 2013 of Follow Jah is the result of this meeting. Mo DJ offers us two versions, whose one instrumental.

This collaboration is part of the project Men Rara, supported by the Knowledge and Freedom Foundation (FOKAL), which aims to put music in the heart of rara music news.

Follow Jah, Carnival 2013, remix Mo DJ

 Follow Jah Carnaval 2015 Pran Konsyans

Cruz La Kanaval 2015 - Antidot (Video)

Tande Haiti Kanaval 2015 saa... Cruz La Kanaval 2015 - Antidot

 Kisa-w panse de Kanaval saa?


 

Carnival 2015 Photo contest open to all

The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries (MICT), organizes again this year, a photo contest on the pre-carnival activities as well as the Carnival of Jacmel and the National Carnival 2015, to be held in Port-au-Prince. MTIC invites all amateurs and professionals to compete.

Regulation for amateur competition:
Are accepted all pictures taken on the fly during the pre-Carnival activities, with a photography equipment even rudimentary (phone, tablet...) must be sent to participate in the contest from Monday, January 26. The pre-selected photos will be posted on the social networks Facebook and Instagram of the Ministry. The 3 photos having received the most "like" on the two social networks combined, will be selected for the grand finale "Amateur of Amateurs" during the presentation of the premiums of plezikanaval.com

Participants must send its photo (s) by email to: direction.communication@tourisme.gouv.ht and to concoursphotos.tourisme@post.com

Regulation for professional competition :
All photos taken (maximum 4) by a professional photographer during the Carnival of Jacmel 6, 7 and 8 February 2015, or during the three fat days of the National Carnival 2015 or the 15,16 and 17 February, should be sent by email to : direction.communication@tourisme.gouv.ht

The photographs received will be evaluated by a jury, which will elect the winner of this category.

Olivier Martelly Kanaval 2015 - Ti Lezanj (Video)

Tande Haiti Kanaval 2015 saa... Olivier Martelly Kanaval 2015 - Ti Lezanj

Kisa-w panse de Kanaval saa?


 

Tourism Can Help Haiti Return to its Serene Days

Haiti proclaimed its independence in 1804, the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to do so. Despite having to pay an extortionate independence fee, equivalent to $21bn (£14bn) in today's money, it was a relatively prosperous and peaceful place to live.

Indeed, most Haitians had a decent life before the 1960s, when the country could have been likened to Canada and Australia in terms of human development indices.

Along with pre-revolutionary Cuba, Haiti was the tourist destination of choice in the 1950s, attracting jetsetters and wealthy travelers from the US and Europe. It was the place to see and be seen.

Over the past 60 years the situation has deteriorated. Most people I meet think the situation here is desperate, but I tell them I believe there is a lot of hope for Haiti because we got into this difficult situation a relatively short time ago. If you look at the history of other rich countries, you will discover that although they spent much longer in difficulty, they managed to fix their problems, and Haitians will do the same.

The 2010 earthquake was a wake-up call for Haitians, including 2 million in the diaspora, to take control and restore the country to how it was three years ago – or, better yet, to the halcyon days of the 1950s.

One of the key ways I believe that Haitians can trigger redevelopment is through tourism, particularly eco or boutique packages for those wanting to experience something different. We have a small amount of passing trade through international cruise ships, but this is of no benefit to Haiti or its people as such excursions are controlled by the cruise liner companies and elites.

The ministry of tourism is rebranding Haiti as a holiday destination, with the strapline: "Haiti – experience it". And last year the country received 950,000 tourists (mainly from cruise ships) compared with 4.5 million in the Dominican Republic, but I know we have the potential to attract at least double that.

If we can bring more funds into the country, the hope is that this can be used to improve infrastructure, create jobs, and support some of the most vulnerable people.

Haiti is a hospitable place where we enjoy life, even when things are difficult. If visitors started to come and praised the small progress we have made, it might drive some communities and leaders to take pride in their nation and really work together to attract greater numbers of tourists.

Haitians are not a lazy people waiting for others to support them. While here, you will experience a vibrant, busy, resilient country, where people are looking for a better life, working hard, and committed to seeking opportunities around every corner.

We are tired of reading in the newspapers that there is no hope for us. Some of those articles are depressing and have pushed some professionals to consider leaving.

The good news is that some sectors seem to understand the challenges of attracting tourists and are working together.

Admittedly, there are some problems Haitians cannot deny, including the food crisis in pockets of the island, but there is another side to the coin: the island is one of the safest places in the Americas, in terms of drugs and crime, and we are blessed with some of the Caribbean's most beautiful beaches and unspoilt countryside.

There are countless places visitors can enjoy authentic Haitian music, from classical to grassroots folklore (rara), as well as one of the finest cuisines in the Caribbean, incorporating French and African influences alongside native Taíno and Spanish culinary techniques.

We tend to use a lot of different vegetables and meat then combine them with peppers to add flavor and a bit of a kick. And if you visited one of Christian Aid's local Haitian partners, such as Koral (Konbit pou ranfòse aksyon lokal, or Gathering for the strengthening of local actions) and Veterimed, you might also get to taste our farmers' famous organic yoghurt or cheese.

Haitians are busy preparing for the vibrant three-day carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince in July. Carnival is a traditional part of Haitian culture, and when discussing with some friends who are regular participants, I realized that for them it was a great psychosocial way to heal and renew.

Some argue that the government could better use the funds for education or the environment, but I hope to attend the carnival this year for the first time to take some photos with my daughters.

So go and see the Haiti tourism Facebook page and get a new sense of the country. The images represent the undimmed hope and light that Haitians would like to shine above our struggles to make the country a wonderful place to live and to visit again.

I cannot say visitors will find the place to be perfect and polished, but I am sure they will enjoy their stay and make plans to come again. If you are unable to stop by, maybe just take a little time to think positively about the future for Haiti and its citizens. Experience it. Not easy, right? But you can.

Haiti Is Ready For Tourists: A Hotel That’s a Work of Art

Artist Nacius Joseph’s “Slave Boats,” woodwork pieces from the late 70′s grace the Best Western Premier reception.—Courtesy Best Western Premier

A Best Western might be the last place you’d expect to find fine art. Some 600 works by one hundred Haitian artists fill the Best Western Premier in Pétionville, making the lobby, where an entire column is covered in original framed photographs, feel like a proper gallery. A 6′ x 4′ lobby tapestry reflects the nation’s Vodou tradition, and was embroidered by Dubreus Lhérisson who comes from the marginalized Bel-Air district. Folk art cutouts made from recycled rubber tires hang on walls, and the collection contains pieces made from natural resources like banana leaves. Masks made of recycled iron drums cover the walls of Le Michel restaurant, whose Wednesday DJ terrace party draws Haitians and expats alike. Curated by designer Pascale Théard, the hotel’s collection also honors the colorful 1970’s Saint Soleil rural art movement. The project, which took a year to complete, was conceived in honor of Haitian owner Stanley Handal’s wife Paola who passed away in the earthquake. 

A Best Western guest favorite, the “Angel of Tenderness” by Lionel Saint-Eloi is made from recycled aluminum and steel.—Courtesy Best Western Premier

Haiti: Slow recovery

Haiti is still feeling the impact of a devastating earthquake in 2010

Haiti Is Ready For Tourists

Shown in rendering, the lobby of the Marriott Port-au-Prince will fill with guests on Valentine’s Day.—Courtesy Marriott Port-au-Prince

A popular bar-restaurant high in the mountains above Port-au-Prince, Observatoire has clear views over nearly the whole city and the sea beyond. Sip a drink on the umbrella-shaded patio and down below you will see only two high-rise structures standing out in the Haitian capital’s low cityscape—the Digicel telecom headquarters, and, surprise, a new 175-room Marriott hotel next door, which is scheduled to open next month.

Today marks the fifth-anniversary of the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that knocked much of the city’s downtown to the ground. Of late, under the young, proactive Minister of Tourism, Stéphanie Villedrouin, Haiti has begun a push to restore its stature as a top destination—back in the 1950s, after all, the nation enjoyed a travel reputation close to Havana’s.

“Haiti is at a turning point as a destination,” says Marriott sales director Elsa Sammartano. Inspired by Chairman Bill Marriott’s post-quake visit, the new property is also Marriott’s biggest social responsibility project. TheDigicel-owned hotel will be nearly entirely Haitian-operated, with a focus on women among the eventual 160 employees. A selection of recent tourism school graduates have been sent for thirteen weeks of training to the JW Marriott Hotel Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. 

As far as possible, all uniforms will be sourced in Haiti. For the open-kitchen restaurant which will prepare both international and Haitian cuisine, local vendors will supply everything right down to organic chicken and coffee (the source of immense wealth in the French colonial era).

The Marriott may be the newest hotel, but it’s just one of many in the past year that have popped up, been rebuilt or expanded, and all with aesthetic touches that pay homage to Haiti’s rich arts, from painting to metalwork sculpture. Most of the properties are in Pétionville, the hilly upscale area where much of commerce moved after the earthquake. It’s where business people and expats share the sidewalk with fruit sellers and artisans, and SUVs share the clogged streets with the ubiquitous, colorful tap-tap buses that are painted with Biblical exhortations and marvelously offbeat phrases like “Amour & Discipline.”

Michel Martelly to end political stand-off

Lawmakers in Haiti are due to meet in an emergency session to vote on an electoral law aimed at ending the political stand-off between the government and the opposition.

On Sunday, President Michel Martelly said he had reached a deal with the opposition to hold long-delayed elections.

But a key opposition party was not part of the last-minute agreement.

The mandate of the sitting legislature will expire at midnight (05:00GMT).

President Martelly announced late on Sunday that he had agreed with some 20 political leaders to hold elections by the end of this year.

But the left-wing Fanmi Lavalas, which has been at the forefront of anti-government protests, was not part of the agreement.

If the deal is not approved before the midnight deadline, parliament could be dissolved and Mr Martelly could rule by presidential decree, something the opposition says was his plan all along.

Mr Martelly says the blame for the delayed elections lies with opposition lawmakers who have refused to pass a key electoral law needed for polls to be held.

Mid-term Senate elections had been originally due in May 2012, while the municipal poll is three years behind schedule.

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