Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2, released Miami-Dade County’s official 2012 Haitian Heritage Cultural Month Event Calendar. This is the 12th consecutive year that Miami-Dade celebrateq the Haitian Heritage Cultural Month which will be held this year on the theme "Rediscovering the Pearl of the Caribbean : Celebrating an Explosion of Culture."

This month-long celebration of the arts, culture and cuisine of Haiti will kick off with an opening ceremony on May 1, 2012, in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. 1st Street, Miami, FL. The opening ceremony will be hosted by NBC6-Miami television personality Elizabeth Guerin and will feature a local dance troupe performing traditional Haitian dances; a salute to exemplary students of Haitian descent; and the unveiling of a Haitian-American art display in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Government Center. The art display is sponsored by the Center for Haitian Studies.

"During this special month, Miami-Dade County will pay tribute to the many contributions the Haitian people have made to our community, our state and our nation. These events will increase public knowledge and appreciation of the Haitian culture in America," said Commissioner Monestime, the first Haitian-American elected to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.

Other events on this year’s calendar include the Haitian History Bee; a Young Artist Showcase; a Haitian Flag Day Celebration in the City of North Miami; and a Women In Production Trade Show event highlighting Haitian women entrepreneurs.

"Haitian Heritage Cultural Month is an opportunity to appreciate the beautiful cultural tapestry that makes Miami-Dade Couny a great place to live," said Commissioner Monestime. "Our diversity is what makes this County strong, and our celebration of this diversity helps unify our community."

Locations, dates and times of all events are listed on the 2012 Haitian Heritage Cultural Month Event Calendar : https://www.haitilibre.com/images/HHCM-2012.pdf

The month’s celebrations will conclude with a closing reception on May 29, at the City of North Miami Beach McDonald Center, 17051 N.E. 19th Ave, North Miami Beach, FL.

HL/ HaitiLibre