By Dessalines Ferdinand
LITTLE HAITI – At a time when Haiti faces political instability and violence, this can be seen as a demoralizing moment for people who love books. So, it was encouraging to see that the power of the written word to broaden minds can still attract large crowds.
Last Sunday’s Little Haiti Book Festival was a tremendous success. After two virtual editions of the book festival were held, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event traditionally held during the Haitian Heritage Month Celebration in Miami-Dade County came back this year in full force with an in-person celebration last Sunday, May 7. The 9th annual festival drew devoted readers and nationally known writers to the Little Haiti Cultural Center for a day of joyful enlightenment.
Presented by Miami Book Fair and Sosyete Koukouy from 10am to 6pm, the event attracted those who enjoy traveling to the deepest corners of Haiti through the power of the written word.
With a rich menu composed of dance, music, storytelling, comedy, and more, the Little Haiti Cultural Complex was transformed into an immersive cultural, artistic and literary environment for South Florida’s residents. This festival took participants to every side and every corner of Haiti, whatever they wished to learn about or whatever they desired to explore.
This year’s festival featured more than one hundred authors and panelists from Haiti and the Haitian diaspora. Part of the program also included workshops for writers, amusements for children, and, of course, great conversations among book lovers and authors.
Several panel discussion were held, bringing together numerous experts and stakeholders who shared their perspectives on a variety of topics. Many viewpoints were presented by the speakers, and it was a rich and informative experience for the audience.
The festival was an opportunity for some well-known figures from South Florida’s Haitian community, as panelists, to present a thought-provoking discussion on the “Impact of New Immigration Laws on Haitian Refugees in the US,” with Gepsie Morisset-Metellus, a community activist and co-founder of the Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center and acclaimed Haitian-American author Edwidge Danticat. They were joined by Paul Novack, former mayor of the Town of Surfside and an attorney who has worked extensively with refugees and the Family Action Network Movement; the panel also included Leonie Hermantin, director of communications and development at Sant La.
For two hours, another group of panelists that included Philippe Mathieu, agronomist and CEO of Agroconsult Haiti; Florentin Maurrasse, Ph.D., geologist at Florida International University, and renowned expert in tektite layers; Georgette Bain-Clervois, an experienced engineer with a passion for sustainable development initiatives; and Jocelyn David, engineer, geologist, and environmentalist, who are all passionate about creating a brighter future for Haiti. This panel engaged in a discussion about the best way to ‘Build a Healthier Future: Environmental Sustainability in Haiti.”
The Little Haiti Book Festival is an event full of fun and laughter where readers meet their favorite Haitian authors and find new authors and seasoned authors they never discovered before. It is true that it is an excellent opportunity for authors to meet book buyers and reviewers, interact with fellow authors and publishers, meet their readers, and find new ones too. Aspiring authors and writers can network with book industry leaders, locate the help they need, such as a publicist or book editor, and learn what’s new in the marketplace.
Many respected and new authors displayed their books at the event. Among them were Lucie Marie Lafrance with her first book, HOPE, an acronym for ‘Honesty-Opportunity-Perseverance-Endurance.’ According to the author, those four things can be very helpful in someone’s life to achieve his/her goals, or to be successful in his/her career.
Playwright, singer, actor, and dancer Frantz ‘Kiki’ Wainright said he sold a good number of copies of his three books: Vilokan: Teyat Total an 3 Tablo Bonifas AK Malefis, Kont Kreyot, and Haitian Folktales. Speaking about the festival, journalist-author Jonel Juste said, “I am happy to participate as an author at this event. This is an activity that allows the authors to meet their readers. It also helps in term of networking. Most importantly, it sends a strong signal to those who seem to believe that Little Haiti doesn’t exist anymore at a time where the gentrification process is moving forward. Carrefour de Nuit, Solèy Solèy, Astres et Désastres, and Zanmi Angle (French Edition) were some of the books displayed at Juste’s table. Pascale Solages, co-founder and general coordinator of feminist organization Nègès Mawon, was there to sign her books ‘Neges Mawon’ and “Alaso’ for the readers.
The youngest author at the Book Festival was 13-year-old Delphine Nephtalie Dauphin, who said, “I am very grateful for the Little Haiti Book Fair to have me at the event. I had such a wonderful time here. I sold out of books! I met the warmest, friendliest readers and authors.” The young CEO and business owner was there with her three books: I Am a Kid-trepreneur: A Guideline for Kids by a Kid, The Science Behind It, and Failure Is An Option.
“I am really excited about the way today happens because the community came out and book lovers showed up in great number,” said acclaimed author Michèle-Jessica “MJ” Fièvre who coordinated the 2023 edition. “A big thank you to the authors, panelists, partners, media, and amazing readers for making the Little Haiti Book Festival a huge success this year.
One of our main goals was to gather the community through that event and we did. Of course, quantity isn’t everything: quality is important. Little Haiti Book Festival wanted to create a venue where authors and readers could share their good feelings about books and reading, and we received a lot of compliments from the attendees,” she added.
Little Haiti Book Festival 2023 edition will continue with an online program on Sundays May 21st and May 28th. On May 21st, there will be a session entitled, “Creole in Context: The Challenges and Opportunities of Promoting Haitian Creole Language and Culture.” This panel will examine the status of Haitian Creole language and culture, exploring the issues of language, writing, and reading that have arisen over time. The panelists, including members of the Academy and other experts, will discuss the significance of Creole in Haitian society, the challenges in fully embracing it, and strategies for promoting its use and development. The panelists will also discuss historical and cultural factors that have influenced the use of Creole in Haiti and some of the challenges that Haitians face in learning and using the language. They will also explore potential solutions to these challenges, including the role that education and language policy could play in promoting the use of Creole.
The Little Haiti Book Festival is also holding a panel discussion that will reflect on the unprecedented insecurity levels Haiti is now facing. “Dealing with the Plague of Insecurity” is the title of that session, scheduled for May 28th at 2pm. This panel will explore the issue of insecurity in Haiti and its impact on the country’s ability to improve living conditions for its citizens. The panelists will discuss the root causes of insecurity, including political instability, poverty, and social unrest, and explore potential solutions. They will also discuss the possibility of sending an international force to help address the problem, including the benefits and drawbacks of such an approach.
Little Haiti Book Festival is definitively one of the best literary gatherings in the United States of America that has long celebrated Haitian writers. This year’s success of the Little Haiti Book Festival proves there’s an appetite for even more occasions for Haitian book lovers to gather. Especially these days, and we’re glad to see it.
If you missed the Book Festival in person this year, be sure to not miss the virtual gathering, discussions, and opportunities to get some wonderful and thought-provoking books May 21st and May 28th. At Le Floridien, we will look forward to the next edition of the Little Haiti Book Festival and see what amazing new authors emerge on the horizon this coming year. To know more about the full list of events and activities, visit: https://www.miamibookfair.com/littlehaiti
