The 4th edition of Festithéâtrecréole had the opportunity to welcome its general public. In face-to-face mode, without any restrictions, without the obligation to wear a mask, as was the case during the third edition. It was also online, to give those who are far from us the chance to be so close.
With the same objectives of promoting the Creole language and culture, this annual event allows Creole-speaking artists to showcase their talents over two consecutive weeks. With the help of the Compagnie’s administrative staff, the festival’s artistic direction has concocted a program to match its years of experience. We gladly open our doors from October 27 to November 5, 2022 to all Creole-speaking communities (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Mauritius, Guyana, Madagascar and Haiti) here in Montreal.
The festival opened at the Conseil des arts de Montréal. The responsible Erica Alnéus, the City of Montreal’s Minister of Culture and Heritage, represented the city’s mayor, Valérie Plante. Ralph Civil, General Manager of the Compagnie Théâtre Créole, and Ms. Nerlande Gaétan, Director of Festithéâtrecréole, delivered the keynote address. For the second part of the evening, musicians, dancers and storytellers were on hand to give shape to the sounds, rhythms, expressiveness of words and density of language in its pure beauty, evoking images and sensations. In this cultural atmosphere, a fine Haitian-flavored broth flattered the palates of our guests. Maguy Métellus acted as master of ceremonies.
We have to admit that this year, we got even closer to our partners, offering them partners, offering them the opportunity, the burden and the freedom
to organize events that meet the standards of a festival that lives up to our ambitions. With this in mind, the Centre Toussaint welcomed a trio of speakers for a talk on Creole language and culture with : Faubert Bolivar, our guest of honor, Madame Agnès Anestin and Manno Ejèn. Sandra Rabrun acted as moderator to keep the conversation flowing. It’s worth pointing out that this hybrid activity generated a great deal of response both in the classroom and online.
The Ludothèque l’Allée Léo in Saint Léonard hosted a wonderful evening of storytelling for children, under the auspices of the Maison de la famille de Saint-Léonard. At this evening’s event, the festival director demonstrated her talent as a storyteller. She happily played the oral tradition card to capture the children’s attention from beginning to end.
It’s worth pointing out that this openness to our partners has breathed a breath of fresh air into our team. In this sense, this breath of vitality will enable us to keep our eyes wide open on our strengths and weaknesses during this event. 
With the Internet, the festival has abolished distances, bringing everyone together from one place to another around Festithéâtrecréole. For example, we had a talk on online theater with a panel of theater men and women of different ages and Creole origins: Stella Lemaine, Laïka Othello, Lyndz Dantiste, Réginald Germain, Joël Jernidier, David Mézy and Faubert Bolivar, the guest of honour. of this edition.
Moderated by spokesperson Lyndz Dantiste, the talk focused on the identity crisis facing artists living in Canada. At this stage of psychosocial development, for young people graduating from theater universities in Canada, this issue is a real block to their future. advancement and development in the field.
After more than 10 years, Marie Maud Duclair and Jeff Chéry were to return to the stage with Félix Morisseau-Leroy’s favorite play: Moun fou. In front of an audience c sélect, the actors showed their professionalism. For touching the hearts of the audience, they received standing ovations. Clearly, this return to the stage is worth more than a performance, according to the audience.
On October 29, talented Guadeloupean comedian Joël Jernidier, accompanied by percussionist Joby Julienne, was once again on hand at Festithéâtrecréole to showcase his talent as a great raconteur with a montage of texts: “Sete on lendi maten”. A selection of pieces, sounds and effects concocted for the festival.
The 4e edition drew to a close with the performance of JESIKA, a piece written, directed and performed by guest of honor Faubert Bolivar in collaboration with Haitian-Canadian pianist David Bontemps. The play met with rapturous approval from the packed audience. JESIKA, a play written in 2009, is highly topical. It plunges to the heart of the ills that plague Haiti’s social fabric.
About our expectations. What are we waiting for?
It’s still the same, this desire, this will to go further, higher, to touch the heart of the Afro-descendant community, of Creole origin. We want to give the best of ourselves to raise the profile of our rich, diverse culture, which nourishes the world by giving it an extra soul.
This festival is a platform for promoting artists and Creole culture, opening the way to creators, to their talent, their genius, their heart, to the human sensibility that smells of our culture when we come together to achieve great things.
Although the number of theater graduates continues to intensify the desire and enthusiasm of our young people for this beautiful world profession, the representation of blacks on the stage remains insignificant. Given this reality, we are now committed to creating opportunities in the world of theater for these young black talents who need guidance. With this in mind, our Haitian-born management team wants to set a good example for the entire black community, and Creole-speakers in particular, so that the future of theater in this host country keeps the promise of the fine flower of human sensitivity that changes the world and life, to borrow the beautiful phrase of the French surrealist poet André Breton.
Ralph Civil, Director of Compagnie Théâtre Créole
