UNESCO Showcases Results of Artistic Creation Support Project in Haiti

The UNESCO Office in Haiti held an event at the Royal Oasis Hotel in Pétion-ville to present the results of a project supporting artistic creation, backed by UNESCO's Heritage Emergency Fund, according to icihaiti.com. The gathering drew Haitian government representatives, heads of UN agencies, the Resident Coordinator and cultural sector partners, with project artists delivering performances of theater, music, song and dance. Organizers presented the initiative's key results: five cultural projects supported, nearly 100 direct beneficiaries, 50 cultural practitioners trained, and six cultural projects structured. UNESCO Representative in Haiti Eric Voli Bi called on national and international partners to continue investing in the sector, saying, "Culture is not a luxury for times of peace; it is the glue that prevents a nation from collapsing." UN Resident Coordinator Nicole Boni Kouassi described culture as "an essential resource for preserving social cohesion, strengthening collective resilience, and nurturing hope." Minister of Culture Emmanuel Ménard said the Haitian State has maintained funding for cultural projects despite the ongoing crisis, and announced the opening of the first House of Culture in Port-au-Prince, featuring a permanent sales exhibition for artists and artisans, particularly those from the Croix-des-Bouquets cut-metal sector. Organizers stressed the continuing need for funding, training and promotion of artworks.