The buzz

June 2012:

Mi Espejo (French)
(Claude Sainnécharles partage, avec beaucoup de plaisir, l’illustration réalisée par Marlen Guérin, aquarelliste-illustratrice canadienne, pour la traduction du recueil de poésie Los espejos del tiempo (Les Miroirs du temps)

On peut être un homme sans être un savant
(Paroles prononcées par Gotson Pierre le 2 juin 2012 au Parc du Souvenir lors des funérailles de son père Pressage)

So Spoke the Earth: An Anthology

***

May 2012:

Face à face à Vassar (French)
(Michèle Voltaire Marcelin, auteur invitée, a fait une lecture-spectacle de “La Désenchantée” à Vassar cet Avril 2012.)

Rodney Saint-Eloi, l’éditeur haïtien aux mille identités (French)
(Article de Valérie Marin La Meslée, véritable portrait de Rodney Saint-Éloi)

Haiti- Taino petroglyphs and pictographs (English)
(One of the most fascinating and at-risk aspects of Haitian caves are the hundreds of Taino pictographs and petroglyphs that can be found throughout the country.)

Lancement de “L’Aménagement Linguistique en Haïti” (French)
(Publication des Éditions du CIDIHCA)

Cinq auteurs en lice pour le Prix littéraire de la Fondation Prince de Monaco (French)
(Franketienne, Alain Mabanckou, Victor-Lévy Beaulieu, René de Ceccatty et Jean-Paul Kauffmann ont été sélectionnés pour le Prix littéraire de la Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco qui sera décerné le 2 octobre dans la Principauté.)

A CNN Hero (English)
(Recognized as a 2012 CNN Hero: Malya Villard-Appolon, co-founder of KOFAVIV, and a stunningly persistent and effective advocate for poor women in Haiti who are victims of sexual assault.)

Tan Lontan (French)
(Photos de la Collection CIDICHA)


Face à face à Vassar

Envoyé par Frantz Voltaire

Michèle Voltaire Marcelin, auteur invitée, a fait une lecture-spectacle de “La Désenchantée” à Vassar cet Avril 2012.

Le professeur Sophie Marinez qui y enseigne le cours d’Introduction à la Littérature Française a inclut le texte dans son syllabus ce printemps.

Le cours analyse “L’écriture du moi” et les textes choisis sont de Montaigne, Rousseau, Marguerite Duras et Michèle Voltaire Marcelin.

Pour l’auteur, au plaisir de rencontrer les élèves s’est ajouté celui de partager son expérience face à l’écriture dans un salon littéraire.

“La Désenchantée” met en scène le monde quotidien de l’enfance et de ses secrets dans le Port-au-Prince de Duvalier.

Dans une prose lyrique où les sens, les couleurs, les saveurs se déploient, l’auteur retrace le chemin de vie de la narratrice; un parcours revu d’un œil lucide où un détail peut faire basculer dans le trouble les personnages qui perdent ainsi leur innocence.

Pour cette lecture, Voltaire Marcelin s’est entourée d’un rayonnement identitaire: photographies anciennes, bougies, fleurs, parfums; objets qui ont nourri et inspiré le texte.

La photographie qui déclenche les souvenirs: la photo d’une mère si belle “que les hommes tournoyaient autour d’elle comme des insectes autour d’une lampe.”

“La Désenchantée” publié par Cidihca (Canada) en 2005 est traduit en espagnol comme “La Desencantada”. Michèle Voltaire Marcelin est également l’auteur de deux autres volumes de poésie: “Amours et Bagatelles” et “Lost and Found”. Les textes sont disponibles sur Amazon.com

Michèle Voltaire Marcelin, poète, peintre et comédienne a vécu en Haïti, au Chili et aux Etats-Unis.


Tan Lontan

Photos de la Collection CIDIHCA

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One of Our Heroes is a CNN Hero!

Sent by Leita Kaldi

We are proud, and excited, to see that CNN has recognized one of our heroes, Malya Villard-Appolon, as a 2012 CNN Hero. Malya is a co-founder of KOFAVIV, and a stunningly persistent and effective advocate for poor women in Haiti who are victims of sexual assault.

The CNN article recounts Malya’s personal fight to overcome great obstacles, and KOFAVIV’s inspiring work since Haiti’s 2010 earthquake. But there is much more to Malya’s story. She has been organizing on behalf of women victims of rape since 1994, and helped found KOFAVIV back in 2004, working hard for many years without recognition. KOFAVIV is not just helping many individual victims, it is  successfully challenging unjust systems that silence poor women’s voices and make rape easy to commit and hard to prosecute.

The Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) and our Haitian sister organization, the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux,are proud of Malya Villard-Appolon and her KOFAVIV colleagues, and are honored to have collaborated with them since 1994.

To read the CNN article, click HERE.

For more information about our collaboration, see the Rape Accountability and Prevention Project section of our website.

Cinq auteurs en lice pour le Prix littéraire de la Fondation Prince de Monaco

Envoyé par Virginie Turcotte,
Adjointe éditoriale, Mémoire d’encrier

Cinq écrivains (Franketienne, Alain Mabanckou, Victor-Lévy Beaulieu, René de Ceccatty et Jean-Paul Kauffmann) ont été sélectionnés pour le Prix littéraire de la Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco qui sera décerné le 2 octobre dans la Principauté.

Le Conseil littéraire de la Fondation, présidé par la Princesse de Hanovre Caroline de Monaco, s’est réuni mercredi à Paris. Créé il y a 60 ans, le Prix Littéraire Prince Pierre de Monaco honore un écrivain d’expression française de renom pour l’ensemble de son œuvre. Le prix est doté de 15.000 euros.

L’an dernier, le Prix avait été attribué à l’écrivain et journaliste Pierre Assouline, pour son roman “Vies de Job” (Gallimard).

Par ailleurs, le jury a retenu cinq romanciers pour participer à la Bourse de la Découverte, qui récompense un jeune auteur francophone pour un premier ouvrage de fiction. Dotée de 12.000 euros, elle est décernée le même jour.

Il s’agit de Régis Delicata pour “Rhapsodie pour une dent creuse” (Grasset), Augustin Guilbert-Billetdoux pour “Le Messie du peuple chauve” (Gallimard), Philippe Lançon pour “Les Iles” (JC Lattès), Jean-Philippe Rossignol pour “Vie électrique” (Gallimard) et Pauline Dreyfus pour “Immortel, enfin” (Grasset).

Franketienne

Photos: Lancement de “L’Aménagement Linguistique en Haïti”

“L’Aménagement Linguistique en Haïti” est une publication des Éditions du CIDIHCA.

Cet ouvrage collectif, dont la lecture est aisée, est un livre de référence majeur sur la problématique linguistique haïtienne qu’il traite avec rigueur et hauteur de vues. Doté d’une vaste documentation et d’un appareillage théorique et critique de premier plan, il a été rédigé par quatre linguistes, tous spécialistes des questions traitées. Ce livre, de plus, est fort à propos présenté et soutenu par des spécialistes de l’aménagement, de l’histoire et de la jurilinguistique. Les analyses et diagnostics consignés dans cet ouvrage donnent lieu à des propositions appelées à faire consensus, à l’échelle nationale, dans l’incontournable reconstruction d’Haïti.

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Haiti- Taino petroglyphs and pictographs

Message from Brian David Oakes:

Hi friends,

I wanted to share these recent photographs of Haitian caves, Taino pictographs, and petroglyphs with all of you. Haiti has amazing treasures that we need to record and preserve.

Photographs are located here.

Caves in Haiti, and all that is associated with those caves in terms of their biology, geology, archeology, anthropology, etc., have been little studied. I have been exploring and mapping the caves of Haiti these past 5 years with experts from various institutes in the United States and France. One of the most fascinating and at-risk aspects of Haitian caves are the hundreds of Taino pictographs and petroglyphs that can be found throughout the country.

A first step in the protection of this most wonderful heritage is the documentation and registration of whatever we can find. In order to do this a small group of amateurs and professionals has formed the Haitian Speleological Survey that has set itself a mission to serve as a central repository for recording and documenting as much information as possible related to Haitian Caves.

All are welcome to join and we can be contacted at the [email protected].

In the meantime, please enjoy the pictures and I await your comments.

Let’s work together to make the world aware of the true importance of Haiti to the global community. We also need to encourage our university students to take up related fields of study to better understand our speleology.

Please share with your friends.

Brian

Rodney Saint-Eloi, l’éditeur haïtien aux mille identités

Je vous invite à lire l’article de Valérie Marin La Meslée, véritable portrait de Rodney Saint-Éloi.

http://www.slateafrique.com/86379/rencontre-avec-rodney-saint-eloi-editeur-haitien-vivant-a-quebec-ponts-entre-l-afrique-et-haiti

Featured photo: Rodney Saint-Eloi © Mémoire d’encrier, tous droits réservés.

Nayeli Fanfan: The Art of Being a Diva

Modern chic. Sophisticated classic. Fashion model Nayeli Fanfan is a total babe! Born and raised in Port-au-Price, Haiti, Nayeli started modeling in her teens. She was crowned Miss Inter-College in 2000, Miss Florida in 2003, and also won First Place at the Miss Haiti International pageant in Paris, France, in 2004. She is now the owner of the Caribbean Dance Team and an active member of HANNA, the Haitian American Nurse Association. Yup, Nayeli is beauty AND brains—a real diva! How does she do it?

Nayeli Fanfan


INTERVIEW WITH NAYELI FANFAN


Nayeli, how did you start modeling?

As I was growing up in Port-au-Prince, people who met me often commented on my height and looks. “You look like a model,” they would say. “You should be a model.”  One day, I decided to give it  try. At age 15, I joined Magalie Racine’s modeling company in Haiti. Since then, modeling has been my passion. I really enjoy every aspect of it.

Tell us about your education.
I graduated from FIU with a degree in Nursing and I’m currently getting a Master’s to become a Nurse Practitioner. I am Registered a Nurse working in a cardiac unit. As far as modeling is concerned, I received training at Image Models & Talent Agency and John Casablancas Modeling & Career Center.

Tell us about your modeling experience so far—first big break, favorite job…

My big break? Well, the title “Miss Haiti international” has opened up many doors. As for my favorite job, I’ll go with Miami Fashion week. I always wanted to participate in this big event and my wish was finally granted this year. Let’s talk about other dreams of mine: I want to win America’s Next Top Model and sign a contract with Wilhelmina. I want to be a role model for the others to come. As I get further in my career, I want to be featured in prestigious magazines and get speaking roles in commercials and movies.

Nayeli, you look stunning. Tell us about your eating habits, your workout routine…
I eat frequent small meals—every 4 hours, actually. I try to keep starches to a minimum and fill up on fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, and protein. I drink a lot of water, and my favorite snack is Fiber One chewy bar. I don’t go to the gym that often. I love to put on music at home and use dance as a form of exercise. Oh, and the wii game! I love “Just Dance.” As both a nurse and a model, it’s not difficult to keep a fit and healthy body; at the hospital alone, I burn a lot of calories.  I am always on the go and use the stairs versus the elevators.

What are some of your best beauty tips?

Always wash your face before going to sleep at night. Never sleep with your makeup on. Take daily multivitamins. Drink plenty of water to remain well hydrated. Use sunscreen on your face and body. In fact, if I were stranded on a desert island and could only have one beauty product and one fashion item with me, I would pick  a bottle of sunscreen and a hat.

Influential people in your life?
My parents have always been very supportive of my modeling career and continue to offer me their guidance in order for me to remain safe and clean in the industry. They instilled in me high values and morals, which help me maintain a healthy sense of self-esteem and positive body-image. My other role models are Tara Banks, Oprah and Beyonce.

Nayeli loves fashion, adventure, reading, culture, fun and travel (particularly to Europe). She dislikes narrow minded people, hypocrites, and liars. Visit her online at http://www.nayelifanfan.com/

Interview with Fayola Nicaisse

THE ART OF BEAUTIFUL:

Fayola Nicaisse is a business woman and a bit of a philanthropist. She is the creator of Ebene, a truly natural line of products made with ingredients in their purest form–no need to get a dictionary when reading the labels. Fayola puts her heart and soul into every formula. In fact, each product has a story behind it. Baby products were created for her daughter and the line grew with her son. Pregnancy products were created when she was pregnant, hair products through her journey of natural hair. Home Spa products were for Fayola to relax after a long day’s work and later became gifts for friends. Her home fragrance products are natural alternatives to freshen the environment.

How did you become interested in beauty products? 

I remember my hair texture changing as I was growing up; I thought to myself, “Why is my hair feeling so hard and dry?” By the time I turned 11, my mother was frustrated with the high maintenance and decided to relax my hair. I liked the relaxer at first, but it went against who I was—I loved my kinky wringlets; I loved their versatility. Once I left the nest, I went natural again and never looked back. I soon realized that the products I was using were in fact responsible for making my hair unmanageable. Petroleum, for instance, which made my hair hard, is contained in most if not all hair products for curly, kinky, ethnic natural and relaxed hair.

Most products out there contain ingredients that are not natural. Why? Because artificial ingredients cost a lot less, can be mass-produced and give companies a great way to make big profits.  A lot of the synthetic ingredients used have been linked to various skin conditions and cancers, but they are extremely cheap and therefore more attractive to these larger companies. That’s why I decided to create my own line of products—natural and affordable.

I have turned down many investors over the years. I don’t want to compromise my quality in the name of making a buck. Yes, our products do cost a little more, but I have made a grand effort to keep them at an affordable cost while providing the highest quality that we can to our customers. We use quite a few botanicals, essential oils and pure ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, avocado oil, lavender, carrot, babbasu oil, and castor oil, but our main ingredient is Shea Butter which is Beurre de Karite in French. I refuse to cut corners.  My children and I use the products that we sell, therefore I want the best for my children, myself and my customers.

What is in your background that makes you qualified in the domain of cosmetics?

Being from Haiti, I grew up in a pretty much organic environment. Organic is second nature to us in the islands. I grew up watching my mother and father both mix natural remedies around the house for everything from a common cold to hair treatments and pomades.

I started officially mixing products at the age of 18.  Over the years, I researched and studied natural raw materials and their benefits all on my own. Truly Natural and Organic is a popular concept nowadays and universities are now incorporating it into their curriculum. Believe it or not, I did not study chemistry, and yet I have been invited by chemists to speak at various functions because they want the key of what I do; I have been offered jobs to work with companies to help them go green. Raw natural ingredients–olive oil, shea butter, aloe vera, avocado, carrot, oatmeal, cinnamon, and so on–make sense to me. Chemicals don’t. I understand what chemical ingredients such as Petroleum, Sodium Laurel and Lauryl Sulfates, Disodium EDTA,  polymers, silicones, and glycols do, but don’t understand why caring companies would use them in cosmetics when there are natural ingredients that give better results and are good for you and the environment.

What are the advantages of using organic products?

Organic is going with nature. The ingredients are in their purest form and retain all of their vitamins and minerals and therefore deliver all of the results. They do not contain a bunch of chemicals and pesticides residue.  They are better for you—inside and out. Our skin is our biggest organ. If you take the time to eat Organic produce, you should also take the time to use Organic products. It is more than a choice, it’s a lifestyle.

The last time we talked, you were expanding your skin care line into its own brand… 

Yes. That line is called Nicaisse Organics, after my late father, who used to take me to the health food stores on the weekends and have me read up on herbs and natural remedies. He really nurtured and fueled my passion for natural alternatives.

For her hair, Fayola uses the Shea Butter Curl defining cream, the Essential Scalp Serum, the Shea Butter Hair and Scalp Conditioner. For her skin, she loves the Vanilla Bean and Peppermint Soap, the Kokum Butter Body Treatment, the Shea Butter Body Milk in Lavender, and the Lemon Ginger body scrubs. All these products are available online at Ebene Naturals.

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