The UNESCO Office in Haiti organized an event at the Royal Oasis Hotel in Pétion-ville to showcase the results of a project supporting artistic creation, backed by UNESCO’s Heritage Emergency Fund.

In the presence of Haitian government representatives, heads of UN agencies, the Resident Coordinator, and cultural sector partners, the project’s artists and beneficiaries delivered a performance of remarkable quality. Through theater, music, song, and dance, the performances highlighted the diversity of the talent involved and the richness of the creative works developed under the project. The quality of the performances, the artists' dedication, and the variety of artistic expressions gave the event a particularly vibrant atmosphere.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to present the initiative's key results : five cultural projects supported, nearly 100 direct beneficiaries, 50 cultural practitioners trained, and six cultural projects structured.

In his address, Eric Voli Bi, UNESCO Representative in Haiti, called on national and international partners to continue investing in the cultural sector : "Culture is not a luxury for times of peace; it is the glue that prevents a nation from collapsing."

Nicole Boni Kouassi, the UN Resident Coordinator in Haiti, also emphasized the role of culture in Haitian society : "Culture is not, and should never be considered, secondary, particularly in a society like Haiti’s. On the contrary, it is an essential resource for preserving social cohesion, strengthening collective resilience, and nurturing hope."

According to Minister of Culture Emmanuel Ménard "Despite the crisis situation we are living through, the Haitian State has maintained the funding allocated for cultural projects." He also announced "the opening of the first House of Culture in Port-au-Prince, featuring a permanent sales exhibition to enable artists and artisans to sell their work—particularly artists from the Croix-des-Bouquets cut-metal sector."

This presentation showcased the work accomplished by the supported artists and organizations, while highlighting the ongoing need for funding, training, and the promotion of artworks in order to sustain the initiatives already underway.

IH/ iciHaiti