鈥淭hrough the lens of this exhibit, I hope you will appreciate the universal dimension of the Haitian culture,鈥� said Professor Jean Eddy Saint Paul, founding director of the CUNY Haitian Studies Institute (HSI), at the November 16 opening for 鈥淭he Universal Dimension of Haitian Culture: History and Politics of Memory.鈥� The art exhibition, which runs through March 1, 2018, at the , features works by nine artists whose common tie is their homeland of Haiti.
The reception was highlighted by a lecture titled 鈥淭he National and International Dimensions of the Haitian Revolution鈥� by noted Professor Pierre Buteau, president of the Haitian Society of History and Geography and former State Secretary of Education in Haiti. Both the lecture and the exhibit commemorate the final conflict of the Haitian Revolution, the Battle of Verti猫res, which ended with the defeat of Napoleon鈥檚 army and independence for Haiti.
鈥淗aiti is more than its poverty and its economic woes,鈥� said Saint Paul, speaking about the country鈥檚 214-year history. 鈥淎s we commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Verti猫res, the CUNY Haitian Studies Institute, invites you to rediscover Haiti through the artistic work of its proud filles (daughters) and fils (sons).鈥�
Saint Paul was recently honored by The Haitian Roundtable (HRT) by inclusion on its 1804 List. Named in honor of the year of Haiti鈥檚 independence, the list recognizes 24 Haitian-American 鈥渃hangemakers鈥� in the United States whose 鈥渄eeds and accomplishments have helped create a better understanding of Haiti and the Haitian community.鈥� The HRT is a New York City-based organization of Haitian-American professionals who are dedicated to civic engagement and philanthropic work in support of Haiti and Haitian causes.
鈥淭he Universal Dimension of the Haitian Culture: History and Politics of Memory exhibit鈥� lecture and exhibit were made possible by the CUNY Haitian Studies Institute at 可乐视频, the , the School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts at 可乐视频, the , and The Haitian Times.
