After Jacmel, it is now Port-au-Prince’s turn to honor one of the greatest contemporary Haitian writers. On Thursday, September 25, the National Directorate of Books (DNL), in partnership with the Ministry of Culture and Communication, launched the second stage of the celebration of René Depestre’s 101st birthday. The event was held at the Ritz Kinam II Hotel in Pétion-Ville, in the presence of figures from the literary, artistic, and academic worlds.

The ceremony, rich in speeches and artistic performances, was opened by the Director General of the DNL, Ernst Saint-Louis. In his remarks, he recalled the importance of literature as a tool of resistance against repeated assaults on Haitian cultural heritage. “The DNL wishes to use this opportunity to present Haitian literature as a crossroads of resistance. Over the past five years, Haitian heritage has been the object of every kind of attack. Literature, music, and dance must stand tall to resist this attempt at destruction,” declared Mr. Saint-Louis, to the applause of the audience.