The VII edition of the International Fortnight on Disability and Culture closed with a show on Saturday, October 15. Show during which the public was treated to a well-stocked program, which offered dance on stage, poetry reading in Braille, storytelling and musical performances… Performances presented by living artists with physical disabilities and people without disabilities. These are the dancers of the Syla Danse Académie company, the actress Cindy Pierre-Louis; the artists Remise Pierre, Swenskido Jean-Baptiste, Samuel Emile, Grès Balen Racine and Edens Ulysse who, each in their own way, entertained the traveling public.
Promoting the artistic expression of people with reduced mobility, putting them on stage and in the spotlight through an artistic festival, such was one of the objectives set by the organizers who say they are satisfied with the celebration of this 7th edition. “We close today this fortnight with a feeling of satisfaction. Satisfied that the public attended our various shows, satisfied that the artists showed enthusiasm and commitment to the realization of this 7th edition”, rejoices Johny Zephirin, artistic director of the #QIHC.
At the same time, Mr. Zephirin points out that the current socio-political context has influenced the making of this edition, but not enough to stop his approach. “We needed a lot of courage to achieve this fortnight given the crisis the country is currently in. At one point, we even wanted to stop everything in the middle of the program”, confesses the artistic director of the project who, by the way, praises the work of the trainers, announcers, directors and choreographers who, according to him, greatly contributed to the realization of the Project.
For approximately two weeks, from October 1 to 15, cities across the country, Lascahobas and Port-au-Prince, organized activities as part of this annual festival. Among the essential activities of the fortnight are clay sculpture workshops for the blind, theater and music workshops, poetry readings in braille, storytelling shows, among others.
And now, the organizers of the International Fortnight on Disability and Culture are setting course for the next edition. “For the next 8th edition, we intend to work on the theme of Albinism. Preparations will begin next February”, said Johny Zéphirin.