This Monday, December 19, 2022, the Fondation Haïti Jazz announced the countries that are invited to participate in the 16th edition of the Port-au-Prince Jazz Festival or PaP Jazz to be held on January 20 and 21, 2023. They are Canada, Cuba, Spain, the USA, France, Haiti, Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Switzerland.
Artists from these countries – including those from Haiti – will not perform as usual in Port-au-Prince. Indeed, the organizers have chosen to move away from the capital because of the climate of insecurity that reigns there created by armed gangs practicing, among other things, kidnappings.
The musical event, which is supported by the Haitian Ministry of Culture and Communication, will take place for the first time since its launch in Cap Haitien, also called Okap in Creole, this beautiful city with a glorious past located in the north of the island. Jazz lovers are now relieved since the festival could not be held in January and June 2022.
The duration of the festival will be very short (two days instead of eight) but afters, workshops and courses are planned.
The theme of this new edition will be “Toussaint Louverture, Symbol of Freedom”, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the death of the liberator of Haiti and the 280th anniversary of his birth.
In addition, the authorities hope to attract tourists in the second Haitian city.
Now, all we have to do is wait for the list of guest artists.
