Let's Talk About Haïti

Choublak Collective

Celebrate Haiti beyond the headlines. Join us for conference, performances, fundraising & networking. A day of culture, dialogue & community

Spore Initiative

(German below) ⁣“Let’s talk about Haiti” is a cultural day dedicated to Haiti (Ayiti in Creole) and the Haitian diaspora living in Germany. In addition to creating a space for exchange within the Haitian diaspora, the event will also provide information about the situation of the world’s first free Black republic.Haiti is rarely mentioned in German news — and if it is, it's usually in the context of disasters and alarming headlines. That’s why we want to present a more nuanced image of this Caribbean nation and highlight the strength of its people, their stories, and their culture.On the occasion of African Liberation Day, May 25th — a date that commemorates the struggles and victories of African nations in their fight for independence — we invite you to the Spore Initiative in Berlin. Haiti’s own revolutionary past inspired anti-colonial movements across Africa and the diaspora, and its history remains deeply relevant today.The program begins with an introductory talk on Haiti’s spatial development, followed by three parallel workshops. Afterwards, there will be a panel discussion, during which we will speak digitally with journalists and scholars from Haiti about the current situation on the ground. The day will conclude with an artistic performance.Throughout the day, there will be plenty of opportunities for exchange and networking. Accompanying the program is the launch of the “Diaspora Daydreams” kiosk — a multimedia mini-museum on Haiti’s history and culture.A day to remember, learn and network. All are welcome - admission is donation-based.Please register for one of the workshops when reserving a ticket (free). Further Information on the workshops can be found in 'Agenda'.The event location is suitable for people with limited mobility, as well as persons with wheelchairs and strollers.

(Deutsch)„Let’s talk about Haiti” – ist ein Kulturtag zu Haiti (in Kreolisch Ayiti) und der in Deutschland lebenden haitianischen Diaspora. Neben Raum für Austausch innerhalb der haitianischen Diaspora wird auch über die Lage der ersten freien Schwarzen Republik der Welt informiert.Haiti wird in den deutschen Nachrichten – wenn überhaupt – meist im Kontext von Katastrophen und Schreckensnachrichten thematisiert. Daher möchten wir ein differenzierteres Bild des Karibikstaats zeichnen und die Kraft der Menschen, ihrer Geschichten und ihrer Kultur sichtbar machen.Anlässlich des African Liberation Days am 25.05., einem Datum, das an die Kämpfe und Siege der afrikanischen Nationen in ihrem Streben nach Unabhängigkeit erinnert, laden wir in die Spore Initiative in Berlin ein. Haitis eigene revolutionäre Vergangenheit inspirierte antikoloniale Bewegungen in ganz Afrika und der Diaspora – seine Geschichte ist auch heute noch von großer Bedeutung.Neben einem einleitenden Vortrag zur räumlichen Entwicklung Haitis wird es drei parallele Workshops geben. Darauf folgt ein Panel, bei dem wir uns mit Journalistinnen und Wissenschaftlerinnen aus Haiti digital über die aktuelle Lage vor Ort unterhalten werden. Abgeschlossen wird der Tag durch eine künstlerische Performance.Währenddessen und zwischendurch wird es immer wieder Raum für Austausch und Networking geben. Begleitend wird der „Diaspora Daydreams“-Kiosk aufgebaut – ein multimediales Minimuseum zur Geschichte und Kultur Haitis.Ein Tag zum Erinnern, zum Lernen und zur Vernetzung. Alle sind willkommen – der Eintritt ist spendenbasiert.Bitte melden Sie sich bei der Ticketreservierung (kostenlos) für einen der Workshops an. Weitere Informationen zu den Workshops finden Sie unter 'Agenda'.Der Veranstaltungsort ist für Personen mit eingeschränkter Mobilität sowie für Personen mit Rollstühlen und Kinderwagen geeignet. 🇭🇹🌺 Aïda, Carl-Henry, Marie-Alice, Trovania and Yann.🇭🇹🌺

Agenda

Welcome by the organizers

The presentation offers an overview of Haiti’s historical spatial development — from the colonial era to the emergence of the Canaan settlement in the metropolitan region of Port-au-Prince after the earthquake of January 12, 2010. Canaan was originally a temporary camp for displaced people. Today, it is home to several hundred thousand residents. The presentation shows how centuries of exploitation of both people and natural resources contributed to this development. It highlights how the material production of space creates new places to live, but also reinforces existing vulnerabilities and challenges.

The spatial Production of Haiti - Canaan an ordinary city in the Caribbean? 

Lunch break with Gwada Mama

“Kiskeya” is an interdisciplinary  dance project by Tatiana Mejía uniting dominican and haitian artists to explore the cultural, social and political relationship between their respective countries.

Film: "Kiskeya" 

A border of approximately 400 km separates Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The realities along this border reflect the multi-layered, sometimes conflictual relationships that influence life on the entire island. Using the border towns of Ouanaminthe and Dajabón as examples, these relationships are examined more closely and seemingly straightforward binaries are scrutinised. The workshop will be in German with English translation possible.

1. Kiskeya: Border crossings between Ouanaminthe & Dajabón (DE)

This workshop invites participants on a journey through Haitian literature. Haiti is both a geographical and symbolic space that has long inspired a rich, vibrant, and deeply creative literary tradition. In this workshop, we will explore 12 places across the country through the eyes of Haitian and foreign authors who are captivated by Haiti. Participants are encouraged to reflect on the significance of place in their own imagination and to create their own literary responses — using storytelling as a powerful tool to share their lives and express their truths. The workshop will be in French.

2. Around Haiti in 12 Tales  (FR)

The first part of the workshop will discuss the history of humanitarian aid, why Haiti is often called an „NGO Republic“ and particularly the scandals and challenges the nation faced in the aftermath of the earthquake 2010. Afterwards, we will consider how it is nevertheless possible to support Haiti sustainably and ethically, by exploring projects run by Haitians on the ground, and consider steps each of us can take to start fundraisers ourselves. The workshop will be in English with German translation possible.

3. Aid for Haiti: challenges and opportunities (EN)

Coffee break & Networking

Moderated discussion on the current situation in Haiti with Dr. Jemima Pierre (UBC), Frantz Duval  (editor-in-chief, Le Nouvelliste), and Gabrielle Apollon (Global Justice Clinic, NYU Law). 

Let's Talk About Haïti

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Let's Talk About Haïti

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