#35 - Grand return of the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Fest
#35 - Grand return of the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Fest
All the news from Haiti this week: PapJazz in resistance mode, En lisant on Radio-Canada's Telejournal, 1st Mouka Conference, precarnaval in Jacmel, Roody in concert and conflict in Cité-Soleil
After a two-year absence, the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival, nicknamed PapJazz, made a grand return to the Haitian capital. Against all the odds, the four days of festivities were intoxicating for a public eager for great concerts.
This and more in HAITI WEEKLY #35 by DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO, a collective of journalists and media professionals based in Haiti.
Editor’s note: We spent a few days in January preparing a report on the En lisant Festival, as well as a report on the Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival for Radio-Canada television and radio. More details below.
Etienne Côté-Paluck
Summary #35
The Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival in Resistance Mode
Festival En lisant and Gaëlle Bien-Aimé on Radio-Canada's Téléjournal
Mouka Conference: Decolonization and Childbirth in Haiti
Jacmel Precarnaval in Pictures
New Roody Roodboy Concert in Haiti
Towards the End of Canal de Ouanaminthe Construction
Conflict Resumes in Cité-Soleil
Port-au-Prince blockade: Mariani Still Impassable
Press Reviews of the Week
Port-au-Prince International Jazz Festival in Resistance Mode
For the past three years, PapJazz has been in a "resistance" mode, as Milena Sanders, one of the two co-organizers of the event, explains in an interview. Due to the escalating insecurity in Port-au-Prince, the festival has been forced to stay away from the capital during this period: an imposed break in 2022 and a move to Cap-Haïtien in 2023. Although the security situation in the city has hardly improved, Sanders insists on the importance of keeping this major event in the capital. "This tradition must not be lost," she says, stressing the cultural and historical value of the festival for the community since 2007.
The singer Beethoven Obas opened the festivities on the first evening, immediately after a performance by the jazz trio of the Spaniard Abe Rábade. Obas performed his greatest hits with a few improvisations, ending with his famous cover of "Couleur Café" in a Haitian samba version. A large part of the audience, loyal to his hits for 35 years, sang along for most of his performance.
The first evening of the festival ended with Cameroonian multi-instrumentalist Richard Bona, described as "one of the five best bassists on the planet" by Joël Widmaier, programmer and co-organizer of the festival with Milena Sanders. This was Bona's second visit to PapJazz, his first being in 2013.
The Festival International de Jazz was presented on a large stage on the outdoor terrace of the Hotel Karibe and was also broadcast live online. We are sharing all four evenings with you here.
Day 1 - PapJazz : full video
The second night of the festival featured Mexico's Last Jerónimo Quintet, which fuses Mexican tradition with contemporary rhythms, followed by Gwolobo, a collective led by DJs ManitoNation and Kolo. Featuring singers Paul Beaubrun (Boukman Eksperyans, Arcade Fire) and Kabysh, as well as drummer Ti Tanbou, the group revisited classics of traditional and roots Haitian music, fusing house, percussion and vodou.
They were joined by keyboardist Patrice Rouzier, co-founder of Mizik Mizik, considered a pillar of contemporary Haitian music. Joël Widmeier, also a professional musician, joined the rhythmic jam session on drums.
Day 2 - PapJazz : full video
Voodoo priest, singer and dancer Erol Josué opened the third night with his vodou-jazz-rock, followed by Martinique trumpeter Ludovic Louis and his musicians.
The reggae group Mapou closed the penultimate night of the festival with a Jamaican-inspired set. Three of the most important Haitian reggae singers of their generation, Zikiki Yizra'El, Joel Pierrevil (Akoustik) and Pierrot Petit, took turns on stage. Special guest Jah Nesta also took the opportunity to join the group, making a grand return to Port-au-Prince after several years of absence.
Day 3 - PapJazz : full video
In addition to the special Jazz Lakay Project (see concert), the Cuban saxophonist Felipe Lamoglia Quintet (see concert) performed on the festival's main stage on the final night. It was closed by the eagerly awaited singer Richard Cavé and his compas group KAÏ, formed after the dissolution of Carimi in 2016. Their greatest hits delighted the sold-out crowd. They even ended the evening with a carnival song that loosened the legs with a slightly faster rhythm.
Despite its short format and duration, the festival served as a reminder of the importance of music in the Haitian soul. "Without culture, a people is nothing," Beethova Obas emphasized in an interview.
Day 4 - PapJazz : video KAÏ concert
En lisant Fest and Gaëlle Bien-Aimé on Radio-Canada's Téléjournal
A collaboration was born between part of the DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO team, Etienne Côté-Paluck and Jean Elie Fortiné, and Radio-Canada journalist Jean-Michel Leprince. Together, they prepared a report on the artist Gaëlle Bien-Aimé. The humorist and playwright will perform in Quebec and Ottawa in May. She was the guest of honor at the En lisant theater festival in Port-au-Prince last December.
Mouka Conference: Decolonization and Childbirth in Haiti
A few days ago, Tania Pierre-Charles and the team at the Mouka.ht virtual documentation center, of which DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO is a partner, presented the first in a series of conferences dedicated to gender and women's rights in Haiti.
Colonizing Childbirth: Violence and Reproductive Health Policy in Haiti
by Tania Pierre-Charles, doctor and PhD student (UQAM)
Summary: Two parallel systems of childbirth coexist in the country. Their roots lie in the colonial matrix that shaped binary relations of domination. The traditional birthing system, which is still used by two-thirds of Haitian women, is thus secondarized and even scorned by institutions, professionals and public health policies. From home birth to the challenges faced by traditional matrons, how can we decolonize the medical approach and meet the needs of women in Haiti?
Jacmel Precarnaval in Pictures
On Sunday, January 28, the artisans of Jacmel's famous carnival mobilized for their final preparations. It was at this time that the Carnival Committee carefully selected the groups that will participate in this big day. This last stage before the carnival is crucial for the success and smooth running of the celebration. A full report on this festive day will appear in the next issue of HAÏTI MAGAZINE, where we'll share the highlights and impressions captured during this colorful event emblematic of Haitian culture.
Jacmel Launches its Carnival . Le Nouvelliste
Ouanaminthe: Revellers Take to the Streets for the First Pre-Carnival Sunday . Le Nouvelliste
Ouanaminthe: Town Hall and Carnival Committee Officially Launch this Year's Festivities . Le Nouvelliste
New Roody Roodboy Concert in Haiti
Roody Roodboy gave a concert last Friday at the NH El Rancho Convention Center in Petionville. The country's most popular pop singer presented his new show “Tou 9”, named after his new album released last August.
Music Video of the Week
Frajil - Jalove Lazy Omega ft B13 Dankanny
Newcomer Jalove Lazy Omega teams up with the already famous B13 Dankanny for an unusual rap video that mixes vodou, cemeteries and other mystical aspects.
TowTowards the End of Canal de Ouanaminthe Construction
The city of Ouanaminthe was paralyzed early last week after a strike was called. The strike was initiated in part by former Senator-elect Guy Philippe, who was extradited by Haitian authorities and tried in the United States for drug money laundering just days before he took office in 2016. Recently released from prison and back in Haiti, Philippe has successfully mobilized crowds against Ariel Henry's government.
“They talk about revolution to manipulate the people. But they can be very wrong if they don't understand that the people want this revolution. What they have experienced over the last few months has opened their eyes. The more they are deceived, the stronger the fire of their anger can roar. But what else is there to destroy in this country that has become so miserable through the fault of its elites? Can our society withstand the shock of an explosion of uncontrolled violence?”
Excerpt from Confusion
Editorial in Le National by Gary Victor (January 27, 2024)
Despite these disruptions, construction of the Ouanaminthe canal continues, albeit at a somewhat slower pace. The project is nearing completion, but the organizing committee has not yet announced a date for the official inauguration. The most important aspect of the remaining work is the gabionage, an essential technique to prevent erosion along the canal. A large part of the DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO team is planning to visit the site in the next few days to follow the progress of this project and will provide more information in the next issue of the newsletter.
Rivière Massacre: The Main Canal is More Than 85% Complete . Le Nouvelliste
'Nou Nan Dènye Faz Travay la' Enjenyè Lesnel Marcelus di VOA Kreyol - VOA
Haiti - Security: Reinforcement of Surveillance at the Dominican Border - HaitiLibre.com
BSAP Agents Cause Trouble in Ouanaminthe, PNH Reacts | Loop Haiti
Conflict Resumes at Cité-Soleil
The conflict between the two groups of armed criminal clans in Cite-Soleil seems to have resumed last week, six months after a truce was negotiated between the two parties. During the summer, the coalition nicknamed G-Pep, around the armed leader known as Ti-Gabriel (Gabriel Jean-Pierre), was largely confined to the Brooklyn district, Cite-Soleil's largest shantytown. Cornered on all sides by the rival G-9 group, Brooklyn's population was on its last legs after enduring a complete blockade for several months, depriving them of access to water, electricity, and any means of getting in and out of the neighborhood. This situation contributed to Brooklyn becoming one of the first hotbeds of the new cholera epidemic in Haiti about a year ago.
“It doesn't say so in the report, but getting out of the violence will require a political process and a neighborhood regeneration plan. It will take new ideas and a lot of new money to pull Haiti out of the abyss. Creating the conditions to restore security, resurrect hope and generate growth will be a long and bumpy road.”
Excerpt from Safety, an Essential Good
Editorial in Le Nouvelliste by Frantz Duval (January 23, 2024)
Last November, the death of Iska Andris, the leader of the group based in the Belekou district, seriously weakened the G9 collective in the area. After this loss, the G-Pep collective launched an attack in a neighboring district before withdrawing.
Gang Clashes Hamper Economic Activity at Port-au-Prince Port . Le Nouvelliste
In recent years, the G-9 collective had also extended its control over much of the northern part of downtown Port-au-Prince. One of their first major actions was the near-total takeover of the La Saline neighborhood, which is home to the country's largest public market and is located directly across the street from the Port of Port-au-Prince - two major sources of income for the racketeers.
“The PNH suffers from a lack of specialized tactical training, a lack of ongoing training, a lack of incentives and benefits, and precarious salaries. In terms of logistics, there is a lack of armored vehicles, heavy engineering equipment, helicopter support, reconnaissance drones, spare parts on the local market, patrol boats, attack drones, assault rifles and appropriate infrastructure, our source revealed, pointing the finger at dilapidated police premises. [...] The Haitian state and the international community are not providing the PNH with sufficient resources. The national budget does not have security as its top priority, and the funds pompously announced by friendly countries are not primarily intended to strengthen the operational capabilities of the PNH, but are directed above all at the programs of the donors themselves.”
Excerpt from PNH and FADH in 2024
Editorial in Le Nouvelliste by Frantz Duval (January 22, 2024)
After the death of Serge Alectis (aka Ti-Junior), leader of the G-9 allied group, an individual named Mack took his place in 2022. Last September, Mack and his group announced their intention to leave the G-9 coalition, provoking new conflicts with neighbouring districts. Early last week, a group from the G-9 collective attacked La Saline to weaken Mack's group, which lost a significant portion of its territory, including the Lycée de La Saline, a high strategic point in the area. The next day, according to local sources, members of the collective nicknamed G-Pep took advantage of this conflict between former allies to sneak into the neighborhood and ambush Mack. Mack, along with several of his associates, apparently died at the hands of the very people they had expelled from La Saline along with many other residents several years ago.
Rounding out several days of conflict, gunmen from the Brooklyn district of Cité-Soleil (G-Pep) also reportedly took advantage of their eternal rivals' weakness to launch a new attack in the middle of last week, this time near the Projet-Drouillard intersection, formerly controlled by the G-9 and Cité-Soleil's gateway to downtown and La Saline.
“On the eve of February 7, 2024, the date that should mark the end of the transition led by Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the country is on fire. While on the one hand gangs are stepping up their attacks on neighborhoods and increasing the number of kidnappings, on the other, opponents of Ariel Henry are calling for his resignation.”
Excerpt from Haiti Needs No New Promises
Editorial in Le Nouvelliste by Jean Pharès Jérôme (January 19, 2024)
Blockade of Port-au-Prince: Mariani still impassable
The road to the south of the country remains completely blocked at Mariani, on the southwestern outskirts of the capital. This situation is severely hampering the movement of goods, which are now being transported via a dirt road in the mountains south of Mariani. This alternative, although necessary, remains precarious because it is inaccessible to trucks, forcing goods to be transported by hand. Among other consequences, this logistical difficulty has led to a shortage of basic commodities and an increase in prices at the Salomon market in Port-au-Prince.
“Food is becoming increasingly difficult to come by. With Port-au-Prince encircled by gangs, it's hard for foodstuffs to reach the capital. Prices are rising week after week. It's a nightmare for families.”
Excerpt Daily Life Adrift
Editorial in Le National by Gary Victor (January. 24, 2024)
In addition to the mountain route, some people are trying to bypass the blockade by sea. However, the sea route is not without risk. Recently, a boat was intercepted by an armed group, brought ashore, and its occupants kidnapped, according to a person who frequently uses the passage.
Police and others are currently trying to dislodge the criminal group that controls Mariani, which was driven out of the district some time ago. This group, taking advantage of the growing power of the criminal militias in Martissant to which they had retreated, has been trying since November 1 to regain control of Mariani, further west. Despite the efforts of the police, who have sent reinforcements by sea, the armed groups appear to be maintaining their hold on the area for the time being.
The Southern Peninsula on the Brink of a Humanitarian Crisis, an Entrepreneur's Testimony . Le Nouvelliste
Haiti - FLASH : Mariani's Blockade Has Serious Impact on Food Baskets in the South of France - HaitiLibre.com
Carrefour-feuilles: Tilapli's Gang Has Set Up Shop in Alert Alley and Controls the Bas Peu de Chose area - L'exclusivité
Situation Mariani: Some 77 People Killed, 427 Houses Abandoned and 36 Schools and 6 Health Centers Closed, According to a PNPDH Report. - L'exclusivité
PNH Operates in P-au-P and Strengthens its Presence in Mariani | Loop Haiti
DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO’s team
Photojournalists: Francillon Laguerre, Sonson Thelusma, Andoo Lafond, Milot Andris, Patrick Payin
Editorial board: Etienne Côté-Paluck, Jean Elie Fortiné, Jean-Paul Saint-Fleur
Interns: Wilky Andris, Donley Jean Simon
Special collaboration: Stéphanie Tourillon-Gingras, Mateo Fortin Lubin, Josué Azor, Siffroy Clarens, Jéthro-Claudel Pierre Jeanty
Media partners: Centre à la Une, J-COM, Nord-Est Info
Institutional partners: Kay Fanm, Mouka.ht
How Does Your Contribution Help?
Your monthly support helps to finance the production and pay the salaries of the DÈYÈ MÒN ENFO staff in the communities of Cité-Soleil, Port-au-Prince and Cayes-Jacmel. In addition, donations are regularly distributed for medical expenses, school fees and other emergencies in these communities.
Press Reviews of the Week
Press Review - Culture and Heritage
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