Within the activities scheduled for the week“Ayiti- Discovering Haiti”, of which Naider is a collaborator, a conference was held in the Bidebarrieta Library in Bilbao. The conference was entitled “Social Movements in Haiti”, the speakers were James Thégénus St. Bo Lakwa, artist and musician who has his work :“Voodoo, the illuminated look” on display at the Jesuit college in Indautxu, until Friday June 25. James talked about Voodoo, about the poor image that we have in the rest of the world of a way of life that has little to do with Zombies, and voodoo dolls from B-movies. He showed us the intrinsic relationship that exists between Voodoo and nature, and its contribution as a link of union, respect and honor that it has in a country like Haiti.
The second speaker was Michelet Montina , president of the Hispano-Haitian association for industrial and commercial development, and Haitian entrepreneur, who works with different Haitian companies, associations and NGDOs. Michelet contextualized the current situation, after making an exhaustive review of Haitian history, starting with its independence, (the first colony made independent by the slaves themselves) and the contribution that this made to the rest of the colonies, to go through the most difficult times in those that fell into foreign hands through rulers who indebted the country. A story that is necessary to remember to understand the situation in which he is currently. Michelet is also trying to carry out a Anti-seismic and anti-cyclonic houses project in Haiti, to rehouse people who live in tents after the earthquake.
When asked about the future of Haiti, both agreed that the main thing is to act as soon as possible, and mainly to let the Haitians themselves take charge of the situation. International help may be necessary at first, but the country has the capacity to get ahead, without any type of intervention by foreign countries. The only intervention that they should carry out should be aimed at avoiding the pressure that the external debt entails contracted by corrupt dictators imposed by these countries.
On the other hand, they also stressed that a union of the people of Haiti is necessary, with clear objectives and a common strategy that helps them get out of the situation in which they find themselves.
A very interesting conference that served to make visible the true situation in Haiti, see the true nature of Voodoo on the island, and the dignity of a people that has been severely crushed throughout its short history.
If you want to have more information about the activities that are going to be carried out these days, you can access the website: http://descubriendohaiti.es/ .
If you are in the Bilbao area, I would remind you that today, Friday, a cineforum is planned at the Centro Sta. Clara de Portugalete, with the projections “The Haitian mirror” and “A day in Anse a Pitre”, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In addition to a children’s Haitian storyteller for the little ones.
Tomorrow, Saturday, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the Atrium of the Ensanche building in Bilbao, a party full of activities. Storytelling for adults, Haitian folk dances, awards ceremony for the literary contest and a show entitled “the revolution of the slaves” among others.
And on Sunday, as a closing, a meeting at the Ripa Quay in Bilbao (in front of the Arenal) from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., in which the group Kati Dada will give a concert and the days with the graffiti contest, the Haitian art exhibition, children’s activities and Haitian gastronomic tasting.
Greetings to all, and… don’t forget about Haiti!!!