Haitian Cultural Day Celebrated in Jersey City
- AN OPPORTUNITY TO HONOUR COMMUNITY LEADERS
- The event fully supported by Mayor Steven Fulop by Léo Joseph
- On Friday, November 15, the rotunda and meeting room of the City Council of Jersey City Hall, the closest New Jersey State municipality to Manhattan, New York City, was dressed in the colors of the Haitian flag.
At the initiative of Elda Pinchinat, a community activist of Haitian origin, Mayor Steven Fulop authorized the use of this room as the venue for the celebration of the Haitian Cultural Day, after 5 p.m. By 6:00 p.m., the evening program began, featuring Haitian personalities, or people of Haitian origin, recounting historical and cultural facts about Haiti or related to the origin of the country.
This celebration, under the theme “Our Heroes, Past and Present, Welcome to Haiti,” is the result of a resolution passed by Mayor Fulop proclaiming November 15, 2019 “Haiti’s Cultural Day in Jersey City,” the deed of which is signed with the seal of the municipality affixed on it. In essense, Mayor. Fulop recommends that all residents of the city “mark this date with appropriate ceremonies and festivities.’’Morever, Mayor Fulop made his staff available to the organizers in the preparation of this celebration and also authorized the participation of his employees at all levels of this exceptional evening.
After a delay of about 30 minutes, Dr. Rosie Payoute, Director of Human Resources at the Jersey City Superior Court House, acting as Mistress of Ceremonies, announced the opening of the celebration, moving immediately to the invocation, followed by the Star-Spangled Banner, the U.S. national anthem, followed by La Dessalinienne, Haiti’s national anthem.
Before giving the mike to Natacha Charlemagne, the first speaker of the evening, Dr. Payoute presented the audience greetings from Mayor Fulop, apologizing on his behalf for his absence. His presence was requested elsewhere in an emergency situation. After a few re- marks in which she gave an overview of the significance of the celebration, Ms. Payoute called the first speaker to the floor.
Ms. Charlemagne provided much detail on Haitian culture. Touching on Haitian cuisine, she made the guests’ mouths water while describing the dishes. In addition, she added to the festive mood, by dwelling some on entertainment, citing several musicians whose music evokes the essence of Haiti itself. All were pleased by her descriptive talent, putting accent on Haitian artists and their craft works. If that was her mission, Natacha Charlemagne surely succeeded in selling Haitian culture to the audience.
Then, Financial Advisor Vanessa Bouchereau was called to the podium. From the outset, no one had any doubt about her objective: Take stock of the Battle of Vertières, which sealed the defeat of the French Army, the most powerful in Europe at the time, and with it the independence of Haiti, as well as the abolition of slavery. Mrs. Bouchereau especially took time in presenting this epic battle, particularly focusing on François Capois, nicknamed “La Mort.” (Death). His exploits when a bullet took off his hat, he yelled “Forward!” When cannonballs of the French fell his horse, he leaped on his feet, brandishing his sword, shouting, “Forward!”That’s why, says Ms. Bouchereau, November 18 is designated “Army Day” in Haiti. Certainly, those who have heard these historical facts, as presented by Vanessa Bouchereau, will not fail to grasp the historical significance of this event and the military genius displayed by the former slaves turned excellent warriors.
It was the turn of Marie Samedi, one of the victims of the suspicious fires that have decimated some homes of Haitians living in the underprivileged neighborhoods of Jersey City. She exposed the problems facing people of her social category. She hopes to receive some support from the municipality, but above all, she counts on the solidarity of her compatriots. After a brief remembrance of those who perished in the January 12, 2010 earthquake, Euneek Kebreau, in his staccato style, gave a stunning performance about Haiti’s independence more than 200 years ago. Thank you to Lisa G. François for wrapping up. The keynote speaker, Mayor Emeritus of South Toms River, the highlight of the evening The evening dedicated to the celebration of Haitian culture day would be incomplete without the speech delivered by lawyer Joseph Makhandal Champagne, Mayor Emeritus of South Toms River. The bursts of applause that interspersed his speech are a testimony to that.
For the occasion, Mayor Champagne focused his speech on the current situation in Haiti, his native country, whose management he unreservedly criticized. The appropriate sentences he used held the audience at the end of their seats. From one sentence to the next, Mayor Champagne received standing ovations. He began by revealing a historical pearl, little known to the general public. Did you know that the State of New Jersey proclaimed the abolition of slavery the same year that Jean-Jacques Dessalines declared the emancipation of the Negroes of Saint Domingue, following the victory of the black slaves over the French Army? That’s right!
However, Mr. Champagne went on to say that those back home, who inherited this independence have not been able to wisely manage this legacy, nor develop the land and create prosperity for its citizens. For him, Haiti’s history is dominated by poor governance from its leaders. But, “the situation has never been as bad as now”. According to his observation of what is happening on the ground, the people are “100 per cent dissatisfied.” And warned that “100 per cent dissatisfaction breeds revolution.”
Joseph Makhandal Champagne deplores the “despair” that characterizes the Haitian people. Yet, he points out that the population remains determined to improve its condition. Faced with prevailing oppression, they remained firmly committed to our fore fathers’ motto, “Freedom or Death !“ This, he argues, is the formula necessary to survive in a country where injustice prevails.
Speaking of the country of his birth in full knowledge of the facts, Mayor Joseph Makhandal Champagne saids: “A new Haiti must emerge. . . . This new Haiti will only be possible through the emergence of a new nation.”
Presentation of the honorees
Within the framework of the activities, four Haitian personalities, who have distinguished themselves by their commitments to the community, were honored. Called first to the rostrum was Raymond A. Joseph (Ray), former Ambassador Plenipotentiary of Haiti to the United States. The mention awarded to Mr. Joseph reflects his achievements, particularly as a diplomat, as Haiti’s Chargé d’Affaires in Washington (1990-1991) before being elevated to the rank of Ambassador, after serving one year as Chargé (2004-2005) at the same Embassy (20o5-2010).
On receiving the citation, the Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Mayor and municipality of Jersey City. He made it a point to draw attention to the role played by Haiti in the Western Hemisphere, also helping the United States of America, even a European country (Greece) in their struggles for independence. Thanks to the monumental victory gained in Vertières, he said, Haitian leaders have helped to free Latin American countries from the clutches of European colonies; and the United States from the grip of the English crown. Another revelation of the evening, Mr. Joseph said as of February 2019, the word Vertières which was banned by Napoleon Bonaparte from French dictionary, has gained its place in the Dictionary of the French Academy. Thanks and congratulations to Dany Laferrière, a Canadian-Haitian who was inducted into the Academy in 2015 and who managed to win another victory over Napoleon Bonaparte, more than two centuries later after the victory at Vertières.
Then it was the turn of Dr. Monalisa Ferrari, a PhD in leadership in education and administration, currently with the New York City Department of Education.
Speaking in turn, Ms. Ferrari congratulated herself for never missing an opportunity to serve the community. While thanking the municipal leaders of Jersey City, she said she remained com- mitted to the idea of “serving” in all circumstances.
The third person called was Marie Francesca Day, a former member of the Hudson County Electoral Commission. A graduate nurse, Ms Day has been a medical activist for over thirty years, having served as a member of the Hudson County Electoral Commission for a period of eight years. She is currently Associate Pastor at Mission House of Grace Church in Jersey City.
The fourth honoree is Dr. Fritz Fils-Aimé, formerly President of the Haitian Veterans Association. Now living in Haiti, he said that he feels it a duty to be here each year in time to commemorate Veterans Day and renew contact with the community.
At the end of the formal celebration, the participants were invited to the rotunda where they enjoyed the food served by ELBECTRICO, courtesy of Léon K. Baptiste.
Event coordinator Elda Pinchinat congratulated all for having contributed to the full success of the evening. She thanked the employees of the mayoralty for their help and to Mayor Steven Fulop special thanks for his full collaboration.
Here are the members of the Steering Committee of the Haiti Cultural Day Program: Leon K. Baptist, Patrick Saint-Hilaire, Gregory Jean, Exileine Samedi, P. Toussaint, Marie Samedi, r Mayor Emeritus Joseph Makhandal Champagne, Dr Georges Bouchereau, Vanessa Bouchereau, Euneek Kébreau, Natacha Charlemagne and Virginie Pierre-Paul.
Mayor Fulop kicks off the Holiday celebrations : Free events citywide
Mayor Fulop ushered in the Holiday season by announcing a host of free events citywide for the enjoyment of families during the entire month of December.
Mr. Fulop, with the Jersey City Municipal Council and the Office of Cultural Affairs along- side him, hosted the City’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This ceremony was held for the first time at the City Hall Annex situated on Martin Luther King Blvd on Tuesday, December 3, at 5 pm. The 22-foot tree, adorned with a 3-footstar on top will stay in place for the entire Holidays, a beautiful sight for the citizens to enjoy. In the press release that City Hall published for the occasion, Mayor Fulop says : “This is always a very special time of year, a time to look back and celebrate all the progress we’ve made in Jersey City this year, and a time to spend with our families and friends.”
Here is a list of events planned for the Holidays:
December 2 at 6 p.m., Newport Tree Lighting: December 3 at 5 p.m., Audubon Park Tree Lighting; December 5 at 6 p.m., Columbia Park Tree Lighting; December 6 at 3:30 p.m., McGinley Square Tree Lighting; December 6 at 6:30 p.m., Leonard Gordon Park Tree Lighting; December 10 at 4:30 p.m.; Newark Ave Pedestrian Plaza Holiday Lighting Ceremony; December 13 at 6 p.m., 24th – Annual Toy Drive; December 14 at 6 p.m., Mayor’s Holiday Concert at the Landmark Loews Theatre; December 23 at 4 p.m., Menorah Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration.
Those seeking more information about seasonal events can visit www.jerseycityculture.org.
All media inquiries should be directed to Kimberly Scalcione at kscalcione@jcnj.org or at 201-376-0699.
cet article est publié par l’hebdomadaire Haïti-Observateur, édition du 4 décembre 2019, VOL XXXXIX No.47, et se trouve en P.1, 3 àhttp://haiti-observateur.info/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/H-O-4-december-2019.pdf
