With the inauguration of the Reference Room of the Haitian culture in House of Africa (Havana, Cuba), began on Friday 4 January, the celebrations of commemoration of the anniversary of Haiti's independence [1 January 1804].

This new space devoted to the study of African influence in Cuban culture, one of the tracks was the Haitian presence, is under the auspices of the Chair of Caribbean Studies at the University of Havana.

Activities began in the historic center of Havana, where Maritza Donatién, representative of the Haitian community in the Caribbean Association of Cuba, led a traditional prayer in Creole for the health of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Subsequently, a panel of experts exchanged on the links between the two countries and mutual influence.

Lohania Aruca Alonso, coordinator of the class for the exploration of peoples and cultures of the Caribbean, spoke about the historiographical treatment, of Cuban intellectuals in the Haitian Revolution and stressed that research in this area, are still inadequate.

This research will be presented next February at the XXII International Fair of Havana, in the text "Haiti in the memory", a tribute to the Commander in Chief Fidel Castro, the main promoter of medical aid and bilateral Cuba-Haiti.

During this day, other stakeholders spoke of the Haitian music and its influence on the Cuban and Caribbean folklore, and the imprint of the African culture in the values ​​and traditions of Haitians and Cubans.

SL/ HaitiLibre