Since October 12, 2022 the artistic village of Noailles (Commune of Croix-des-Bouquets) a unique place in the Caribbean, where the art of cut metal famous throughout the world was born at the beginning of the 20th century, has become the land where the men of the Vitelhomme Innocent and "400 mawozo" gangs clash, looting, burning houses and killing...

Exactly one year ago, on October 13th, 2021 , bandits broke into the sanctuary of Hougan and artist Jean Anderson Bellony and kill him https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34989-haiti-flash-the-renowned-sculptor-anderson-belony-assassinated-in-the-village-of-noailles.html

Over the past year, the escalating violence has caused many artists to flee the village.

The village of Noailles gathers 75 artists' workshops that provide a living for nearly 300 families by allowing them to have: employment, food, and schooling.

The future of the artistic village of Noailles is now threatened by the gangs of Vitelhomme and 400 Mawozo: nearly 12 houses have been burned in less than a week, putting more than 20 families in a disaster situation. There are already 200 displaced persans and the most tragic thing is that about 15 people were killed, 7 of them on the day of October 17 alone.

Reactions:

Ministry of Culture:

The Ministry of Culture is following with the greatest concern the armed conflict between rival gangs which has been holding the Noailles artistic village hostage for more than a week. It condemns the actions of armed groups which constitute a crime against the village of Noailles, classified since 2020: Intangible Cultural Heritage of Haiti and claims to work with the authorities involved in public security to promote the protection of the site, the artists and the residents as well as the safeguarding of an essential heritage.

Embassy of Spain:

The Spanish Embassy in Haiti strongly condemns the murderous attacks against the artists of the Village of Noailles, whose works are considered an intangible heritage of Haiti, and appeals to the principle of humanity which obliges everyone to respect the lives of innocent citizens.

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36160-icihaiti-iron-sculpture-triple-exhibitions-at-maison-dufort.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-35001-icihaiti-insecurity-the-minister-of-culture-condemns-acts-of-terror-in-the-village-of-noailles.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34989-haiti-flash-the-renowned-sculptor-anderson-belony-assassinated-in-the-village-of-noailles.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-27799-icihaiti-noailles-the-cut-metal-works-protected-by-the-law.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-27787-haiti-flash-artisans-and-tourists-victims-of-racket-at-the-artistic-village-of-noailles.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12064-haiti-social-sculpting-to-combat-extreme-poverty.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-11545-haiti-tourism-$4-5m-for-development-of-the-village-of-noailles.html

HL/ HaitiLibre