Port-au-Prince, February 21, 2026.- The Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC) organized, Friday, February 20, 2026, at the Karibe Hotel, a ceremony « In Memoriam » in tribute to the artistic personalities who died in 2025. This date also marks the first anniversary of the disappearance of Haitian literature giant Franck Étienne. A special tribute was paid to two artistic personalities, Jean Coulanges and Joseph Dieudonné Larose.
In an atmosphere of recollection and gratitude, the CMC brought together artists, cultural leaders and guests around a ceremony dedicated to the memory of those who marked national artistic life over the past year.
The choice of 20 February has a strong symbolic significance. It corresponds to the first anniversary of the death of Franck Étienne, a major figure in Haitian literature and former Minister of Culture. Department officials stressed the importance of this date as a significant date for the institution and for the nation as a whole.
Taking the floor, the Minister of Culture and Communication, Patrick Delatour, recalled that the disappearance of artists creates a deep void, but above all imposes a collective responsibility: to preserve, document, teach and promote their heritage. « A nation that honors its artists honors itself « he said, stressing the ministry's commitment to strengthening cultural institutions and supporting contemporary creation.
The ceremony was marked by a special tribute to two artistic personalities, Jean Coulanges and Joseph Dieudonné Larose, praised for their respective contributions to national cultural outreach.
According to the Master of ceremony of the evening, Mr. Paul Vilfranche, beyond the recollection, this initiative is part of an approach of national recognition towards these voices, feathers and works that shaped the imagination and Haitian identity. For the CMC, it is about transforming memory into a sustainable commitment to the service of culture.
W.A.
