Little Haiti Book Festival's free events

The annual Little Haiti Book Festival, presented by the Miami Book Fair, will be May 7, 2023, at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, with additional presentations online May 21 and May 28. Admission is free.

The Little Haiti Book Festival will feature authors from Haiti and the Haitian diaspora, literary panels and craft talks, workshops for writers, hands-on activities for children, a dance workshop and musical petting zoo, poetry, dance and music performances, and more.

The May 7, day-long event schedule is as follows:

IN THE COURTYARD

DJ NICKYMIXwith Haitian konpa, roots and rara music (all day)
BOOK FAIR with local authors and publishers featuring books in Haitian-Creole, English, and French (all day)
BOOKS FOR FREE, courtesy of Miami Book Fair and The Children’s Trust’s Books for Free program (all day)
HAITIAN COMEDY with Aubry Blague (noon)
DANCE PERFORMANCE with NSL Dance Ensemble (2 p.m.)
PAPALOKO Enjoy a live performance of music influenced by traditional Haitian rhythms, Afro-Caribbean, jazz and African music. (3:30 p.m.)

IN THE AUDITORIUM

Chaos and Community: The Impact of New Immigration Laws on Haitian Refugees in the US with community activist and co-founder of the Haitian Neighborhood Center Sant La, Gepsie Morisset-Metellus; acclaimed Haitian American writer Edwidge Danticat; attorney and former mayor Mr. Paul Novack, who has worked extensively with refugees and the Family Action Network Movement (FANM); and Leonie Hermantin, Director of Communications and Development at Sant La, Haitian Neighborhood Center. (noon)
Building a Healthier Future: A Panel Discussion on Environmental Sustainability in Haiti with Philippe Mathieu, an agronomist, the CEO of Agroconsult Haiti; Dr. Florentin Maurrasse, a geologist at Florida International University and a renowned expert in tektite layers; Georgette Bain-Clervois, an experienced engineer with a passion for sustainable development initiatives; and Jocelyn David, an engineer, geologist, and environmentalist. (2 p.m.)

DANCE STUDIO

Meditation and Yoga for All Ages with Alexandra Jeanty-Leclerc, a Mindful Art educator and author of Mindful Pokie. (11 a.m.)
Contemporary Haitian Dance with Nancy St. Leger, founder of NSL Dance Ensemble. (12:15 p.m.)

COMMUNITY ROOM

Introduction to Haitian Theater: Exploring Culture and Language through Performance with experienced writer, performer, and instructor Jackson Rateau. (1:30 p.m.)
From Script to Screen: Navigating Film Project Management for Beginners with filmmaker Yanatha Desouvre. (3 p.m.)

CHILDREN’S ALLEY

CREATE/PARTICIPATE. There will be ART! Visit the KIDS ART-MAKING STUDIO all day for hands-on arts and craft activities with MOAD and renowned Haitian artist Asser Saint-Val (Art-Making Studio, all day).
BOOKS FOR FREE! Courtesy of the Books for Free program, internationally acclaimed, best-selling author Edwidge Danticat will read from My Mommy Medicine (12 p.m.); award-winning writer J. Fievre will read from Haiti A to Z and The Ocean Lives There (12 p.m.); and Executive Director at Family Action Network Movement Marleine Bastien will read from Angelina in the Land of the Free (2 p.m.)
Join professional storytellers Lucrece Louisdhon-Louinis;and Liliane Nérette Louis for their traditional stories from Haiti.
DANCE AND DRUMMING WORKSHOP&nbsp;with Yanui, founder and choreographer of Tradisyon Lakou Lakay (1:30 pm)
MEDITATION AND YOGA FOR KIDS with Alexandra Jeanty-Leclerc, Mindful Art educator and author of Mindful Pokie. (Dance Studio, 11 a.m.)

Online programs

SUNDAY, MAY 21, at 2 p.m. 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 discuss the 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 would also explore potential solutions to these challenges, including the role that education and language policy could play in promoting the use of Creole.

SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2 p.m. Dealing with the Plague of Insecurity – Insecurity is a significant obstacle to improving living conditions in Haiti. Would sending an international force help pull Haiti out of the quagmire? 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.