Between October 28 and November 1, several hundred people gathered virtually to attend the various Festi Teyat Kreyòl events. Although the second edition of the festival was forced to go virtual by current health circumstances, it was able to offer its public all the richness and dynamism of Creole art.
We listened to Rassoul Labuchin and Manno Ejèn discuss Creole literature and culture at the festival’s opening talk. The poetry evening “Je dis à la maison | M ap di lakay mwen” was a highly emotional experience.
The family storytelling event can be described as a highlight of the festival. Divided into three parts, it began with Djenane St Juste, in music, song and storytelling (La Sirène et la Baleine/Lasirèn ak Labalèn). This was followed by Winnie Jay and her historical tale (Anacaona/Anakawona), then in the final part by Édouard Baptiste dit Youyou in an excerpt from FrankEtienne’s play Bobomasouri .

The festival ended with the performance of two plays drawn from the repertoire of successful classics from the Haitian theatrical world. The first: Antigòn, adapted by Felix Morisseau-Leroy and directed by Ralph Civil. The story is largely inspired by Sophocles’ Greek tragedy of the same name.
Pèlen tèt, the closing play of the festival, takes us to a New York basement, where two characters, who fled Haiti under the Duvalier regime for very different reasons, find themselves living together and learning together to mourn the past. A play written, directed and performed by guest of honor FrankEtienne, accompanied on stage by Ricardo Lefèvre, an actor of great interpretive ability.
The team behind the second edition of Festithéâtrecréole had to deal with a number of technical and organizational difficulties caused by the pandemic. Indeed, transferring the festival online was not the first option! But the festival was nonetheless a success, thanks to the immeasurable support of spokesperson Yardly Kavanagh, who played a major role in promoting the event and raising awareness among Internet users.
Nerlande Gaetan, General Manager of Festitheatrecréole, sees the festival as a battle that has been won in spite of everything. She proudly states:
“I consider it a victory to have been able to deliver the goods when you consider that we didn’t have the necessary funds to carry out the festival, which caused a large part of the technical problems encountered. A victory because for [this] second edition, the directors and members of the company carried everything through economically.”
In addition to having to change everything at the last minute, there was no longer any subsidy to hire additional employees. It’s a double whammy for many non-profit organizations (NPOs), who have to redouble their efforts and ingenuity to provide their services in less than favorable health and financial conditions.

“In my opinion, the second edition was a big challenge, as it was uncharted territory given that we had to present our events online and also change our communication methods. It was also more difficult to work as a team, especially for the director who is used to working face-to-face with the artists.”
Virtual art certainly reaches spectators in a different way. But the audience was there, despite the screen barrier and the delays caused by major technical problems.
“Human resources were limited due to the lack of subsidies. This victory is that of the great community that supported the event in spite of everything.”
Nerlande Gaetan, General Manager of Festitheatrecréole
The coronavirus has mobilized and continues to mobilize enormous resources. The Compagnie Théâtre Créole team is concerned about the fate of culture. While it’s understandable that non-essential services should take a back seat, they must not be forgotten. For culture brings communities together, celebrates humanity and changes ideas.
“I also hope that more foundations and private organizations will make room for culture and diversity in the fees they offer.”
Missed a festival event? You can review the events of Festi Teyat Kreyòl 2020 on the Compagnie Théâtre Créole website and on the Facebook page of the Compagnie* and Festithéâtrecréole**. The Compagnie Théâtre Créole looks forward to seeing you at the third edition of the Festival Théâtre Communauté des Noirs from March 8 to 27, and later in 2021 for the third edition of FestiThéâtreCréole.

*You can also follow Compagnie Théâtre Créole on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.
**Youcan also follow Le Festithéâtrecréole on Twitter.
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