The Journal of The Louverture Project

Musifest Productions and Sosyete Koukouy, Inc., will present the second annual “Vodou Fest 2005” at Bayfront Park Tina Hill Pavillon located at 301 N Biscayne Boulevard, downtown Miami, Florida on Saturday July 16, 2005 from 5:00 PM to midnight. Accompanying lectures and public symposia will also be held at Broward Library Auditorium (Fort Lauderdale) on June 12, 6:00 PM and Libreri Mapou June 30, 7:00 PM…. The unique network of cultural traditions of Haitian vodou, Cuban santeria, Brazilian camdoble, and Tridadian shango traditions continue to provide an important link to the African roots of these cultures through rhythm, dance, oral history, art, and song. Vodou Fest 2005 is an opportunity to analyze and commorate African based traditions and their contribution to Caribbean societies. It is an opportunity to begin a new and more positive public and cultural discourse regarding African based cultural traditions. “Vodou Fest 2005” will feature Vodou Arts Exhibition International and local renowned roots music bands performing traditional rhythmic vodou inspired music and vodou rituals for the first time in a public forum: Kampech, djanaye , vodou presentation by Hougan Papa Paul, Erol Josue, the Mirabo twins, Emperor Aboudja, Manbo Carole Maroule, Grupo Batuque (Afro Urigue) Jude Papa Loco, Ifeile (Afro Cuban) Delou (West Africa) and more, Native Indians (Blessind).

The Seventeenth Annual Conference of the Haitian Studies Association (H.S.A) October 13-15, 2005 * Campus Center * Ballroom A University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, Massachusetts 02125-3393 Theme: ‘HAITI CHÉRIE’: CREATING NEW PATHWAYS FOR TOMORROW The Seventeenth Annual Conference of the Haitian Studies association, to be held on October 13-15, 2005, at the University of Massachusetts Boston, will be devoted to the theme ‘Haiti Chérie’: Creating New Pathways for Tomorrow. As Haiti enters its third century, it has reached yet another crossroad at which it needs to reevaluate its past and set its course for the future. The 17th annual conference of the Haitian Studies Association will foster dialogues about the abundant richness of Haiti’s heritage, capture the creative spirit of its people, envision solutions to its present impasse, and trace new pathways for the future. The 17th Annual Conference is accepting panel proposals, and individual papers on all aspects of Haiti’s rich legacy, past, present, and future. Among the topics that might be considered are Haiti’s distinguished historical, cultural, and political traditions that have shaped the creative spirit of its people…. Participants may focus on issues crossing multiple race/class/gender and population lines and covering topics from forced migration, life histories, immigration, environment, health, contemporary Haitian popular culture and arts are strongly encouraged.

Carnegie Hall Concert June 10th Begins Reforestation Effort “We should not forget that the freedom you and I enjoy today; the freedom that has come to the colored race the world over, is largely due to the brave stand taken by the black sons of Haiti…” Frederick Douglass, January 2, 1893, Chicago World’s Fair Sustainable development linked with democratic values promote human rights, social justice and equity, including the balance of power between women and men” Wangari Mathaai (2004 Nobel Peace Prize) April 19, 2005, NYC: In a year when the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to a Kenyan woman who has shown that planting trees is directly related to peace and democracy, and has brought a spotlight to Africa and the Diaspora; a group of artists, ecologists, human rights advocates, are joining to launch REPLANT HAITI, a reforestation project for the small Caribbean country whose people have been endlessly battered by political and economic turmoil, outside intervention and a devastating rage of storms and floods. * On June 10, 2005 at Carnegie Hall in New York City*, the Haitian cultural project Mapou Productions, will present, RePlant Haiti: The Concert featuring a stunning group of Haitian musicians, joined by actor and Haiti advocate Danny Glover, human rights attorney (Guantanamo) Michael Ratner and Essence Magazine’s Founder and Publisher Susan L. Taylor to officially launch RePlant Haiti, in conjunction with American Jewish World Services, led by former NYC Council woman Ruth Messinger, MADRE, the 21 year old women’s human rights organization, endorsed by Haitian musician Wyclef Jean, Oscar Winning filmmaker Jonathan Demme, actor Susan Sarandon, filmmaker Spike Lee with support from Forest City Ratner…. *Through concerts, multi-media presentations, public service announcements and other media campaigns, RePlant Haiti will offer information to people in the U.S. and throughout the world on the drastic environmental situation in Haiti as a result of deforestation, promote the use of alternative energy sources, and raise funds for reforestation efforts. According to Jean Jean-Pierre, Haitian journalist, composer, musician, co-founder and director of Mapou Productions and RePlant Haiti: “We are doing the essential, a campaign to bring back trees and green to that beautiful island (where I grew up).... We are following Prof. Wangari’s lead, doing the most beautiful, life affirming, pragmatic deed: planting trees.” * *Performing at REPLANT HAITI: THE CONCERT are: “Kiskeya: The Haitian Orchestra of Jean Jean-Pierre”, Tabou Combo, Erna Letemps, Jean-Claude Eugène, Léon Dimanche, Emmanuel, Myriam Barthellus, Michel Lemorin, Hadiyha, Carole Alexis, Poet Kathy Engel, and Nènè Letemps.

From the Associated Press… SAVANNAH, Ga. – City planners approved a $500,000 monument Friday to Haitian soldiers who fought in the American Revolution’s bloody siege of Savannah, just as Haiti’s prime minister planned a weekend visit to help raise money for the project. Supporters hope to unveil the bronze monument in October, 226 years after more than 500 Haitian troops joined American colonists and French soldiers in an unsuccessful attempt to drive the British from Savannah. Read the full story at Herald.com. Also, see related stories at Google News.

Sant La is a Haitian Neighborhood Center serving the Haitian American community of South Florida.