“The Haitian American Foundation for Educational and Exchange” (HAFECE) has just named Haitian cultural journalist and poet Anivince Jean Baptiste Official Correspondent of the “Haitian Book and Media Day of New York” in Haiti. Honored in 2021 by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) as the most remarkable young person in Haiti in terms of cultural achievements, member of “Sosyete Koukouy”, contributor to the newspaper Le Nouvelliste, Anivince founded in 2019 the “Festival Entènasyonal Literati Kreyòl” , the first Creole literature event in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean. Here, he tells us about the next edition of Haitian Book and Media Day in New York which takes place on April 20 and 21, 2024, at Gateway Christian Center (North Central Avenue Valley Stream, New York 11580) where dozens of Literary and media personalities are expected.
Rezo Nòdwès – RN: Anivince Jean Baptiste, you were recently appointed official correspondent of the “Haitian Book and Media Day of New York” in Haiti. With what feeling did you receive this news?
Anivince Jean Baptiste – AJB: It is a great honor that those responsible for the “Haitian American Foundation For Educational And Exchange” do me by appointing me Official Correspondent of the Haitian Book and Media Day of New York” in Haiti. This is another possibility offered to me to bring my experiences as a cultural operator to the influence of this festivity which already dreams big and broad for Haitian literature and media. The Haitian diaspora from the four corners of the world achieves extraordinary feats and mobilizes everything to bring Haitian culture to life in their host country. But,
unfortunately, it happens that the honorable work of these heroes does not find the necessary resonance in their country of origin, in the press… This is to tell you that my job as official correspondent of the Day is a little bit linked to that of an ambassador.
RN: Coming soon, on April 20 and 21, the second Haitian Book and Media Day in New York. Let’s talk about this edition of the event?
Let us first remind you that the “Haitian Book and Media Day of New York” is an initiative of HAFECE (The Haitian American Foundation For Educational And Exchange) and “Radio Television Haitiana” based in the United States. This initiative chaired by Jean Refusé aims to be a crossroads for meetings between Haitian writers, journalists, poets, readers, intellectuals and artists residing in Haiti or in the diaspora for a beautiful celebration of the rich Haitian culture in its diversity. Many partners are already following suit to enhance the scale of this edition scheduled for April 20 and 21, 2023 in the premises of Gateway Christian Center (North Central Avenue Valley Stream, New York 11580): Cuny Haitian Studies Institute, Toussaint Louverture Cultural Foundation, Brooklyn College, Festival Entènasyonal Literati Kreyòl, Observatoire Patrimoine, Sosyete Koukouy, Haitian American Alliance of New York, Inc, CIDIHCA, Haïti Première Classe, Eritaj Kilti Kreyòl, to mention only these structures.
It should also be noted that two personalities from the world of media and literature share the hat of Guest of Honor: the Creole academician Lyonel Desmarattes and Darlène Lozis. More than thirty guests are expected at this great cultural mass to glorify the word, the words, the art and the cultural riches of Haiti in the heart of New York City, including names like: Pascale Milien Faustin, Jean Emile Alfred, Eugène Turnier, Iléus Papillon, Gary Daniel, Denize Lauture, Eddy André, Jean Elie Barjon, Gladimy
Ibrahim, Anthony Alouidor, Indran Amirthanayagam, Edenne Roc, Jean – Robert Placide, Méi Lamothe, Gary S. Daniel.
Comments collected by Frantzley VALBRUN
