vendredi 19 janvier 2018

Haiti: Carnival celebrations February 11-13



Haitian authorities have yet to announce the host  city of 2018 National Carnival, which will run from Sunday, February 11, through Tuesday, February 13. Meanwhile, the capital city of  Port-au-Prince has announced its own event, although exact dates have yet to be determined. An influx of tourist is expected during each of the celebrations. As such, increased congestion at travel hubs, increased demand for hotels ( and higher prices), and increased car traffic in the city ( closed roads, affluence of revellers) is to be anticipated, along with business, store, and government office closures. Additional details concerning the events are excepted to be released in the coming weeks.

The National Carnival is traditionally held in Port-au-Prince. However, president Jovenel Moise moved the celebrations to Les Cayes in 2017 in order to increase economic activity in regions devastated by Hurricane Matthew in October 2016. President Moise had previously announced that the National Carnival would return to Port-au-Prince in 2018.


Haiti carnival season typically starts in mid-to-january, The festive period will extend over several weeks culminating in the Rara celebration, which takes place over Lent (febuary 14-March 29). Port-au-Prince's annual febuary carnival celebrations have been some of largest Mardi Gras festivities in the caribbean and North America. Rara is a unique Haitian celebration that is separate from th main pre-lent carnival celebrations. The festivities and music have roots in peasant  Easter celebration customs, and Rara is often referred to as ''voodoo taken on the road.''











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