Focus Haïti

LA CÉRÉMONIE D'YMELDA

DOCUMENTARY FILM

Ymelda lives in a world inhabited by invisible spirits that dwell in the great trees and springs of the Caribbean. Born in Haiti and baptized into the Vodou religion, she emigrated to Martinique and then to Paris. Thirty-five years later, she embarks on a musical creation and an initiatory journey to Togo in search of her mystical roots...

Documentary film written and directed by Laure Martin Hernandez, 53 minutes, France, 2021.

HAÏTI SOLAIRE. HAÏTI RÉSISTE ! LA LUMIÈRE QUI BRILLAIT DE MILLE FEUX

ROUND TABLE

Round table with Makenzy Orcel, Jean Marie Theodat, Florence Alexis, Jude Joseph, moderated by Sadrac Charles, followed by a session with Haitian storyteller Jude Joseph.

In partnership with the Villes des Musiques du Monde network and the Haïti Monde festival.

IVALMOK Identité Hybride

PERFORMANCE

Togolese choreographer IVALMOK has designed a performance based on the search for self in a society where social networks and new forms of hybrid expressions are rapidly growing.

NERLANDE BAZELAIS Guedevi

Percussionist and dancer Nerlande Bazelais brings to life Banda, Maskawon, Zareyen, the rhythms of the Guédé spirits of Haitian Vodou, and the dances of Grann Brijit, the female spirit who inhabits cemeteries.

YMELDA Échos des Divinité’es

HAITI, FRANCE

The most Martinican of Haitian singers, Ymelda began her career in zouk and compas before reconnecting with her Haitian musical roots through traditional rhythms and sacred, profane, or popular songs, blended with more modern sounds. This echoes the words of Haitian writer Edwige Danticat, who said, "the strength of Haiti is the immensity of its music."

Ymelda Marie-Louise: vocals, Ghassen Fendri: guitar, Christophe Borilla: bass, Lucien Jean Mary: percussion, Cedric Brassan: drums