16749: Sun-Sentinel-Haitian Culture Festival introduces native land to children of immi (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leonie hermantin <lhermantin@hotmail.com>

Haitian Culture Festival introduces native land to children of immigrants



By Jordan Rodack
Staff Writer

September 15, 2003

Regine Bataille's two young children were born in the United States and
never had the chance to experience the history and culture of her native
Haiti.

But the first Haitian Culture Festival in Delray Beach on Sunday gave
Bataille and others the opportunity to experience and share that culture
with others in the community.

"I'm a big supporter of everything done by Haitians," said Bataille of
Delray Beach, who brought her sons, ages 3 and 6, to the festival.

"It's great to be here. I feel at home when I'm listening to my own music
and around other Haitians. I hope it continues for years. That's why I'm
here. I wanted to be here for the first one to support it so I have the
opportunity to come back next year."

Festival goers were treated to a variety of different things. Some danced to
live music acts, others dined on Haitian cuisine, while others took the
opportunity to support their culture.

"We came out to support the Haitian community," said Noel Milord of Lake
Worth. "I'm loving it."

The festival was the brainchild of Lincoln Joseph, who said he wanted to
give something back to the Haitian community. He said there have been other
festivals that have incorporated Haitian culture, but none that was strictly
Haitian.

"This is a real big deal for the Haitian community," Joseph said. "This is
very important to us. I hope this festival educates the community. The more
understanding of our culture, the better we all get along.

"This festival is not just for Haitians but also for everyone in the
community. I want to have community togetherness and break the barriers. I
want people who visit to learn what Haitians have done in the past. It's
very important to us."

For state Rep. Anne Gannon, D-Delray Beach, and the Florida Grassroots
Project, the festival provided an outlet to get more Haitians to vote. Only
40 percent of Haitians who live in Florida are registered to vote.

"Haitian-Americans are a large group in the country and in this area," said
Shannon LaGuerre, spokeswoman for Anne Gannon. "We want to see them become a
more unified and powerful block. We are glad to be here. It's a wonderful
thing."

Even those who are not Haitian came out to experience the culture and
festivities.

"This is great," said Rhonda Miller of Delray Beach. "Everybody out here is
having a lot of fun. It's nice to experience different cultures."

Jordan Rodack can be reached at jrodack@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6611.
Copyright © 2003, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

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