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CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian LiteratureHaïti
CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian Literature
Haïti
  • January 24, 2025
  • | 2

CSimon Publishing: The Publishing House that Marks a New Era for Haitian Literature

Haïti is a true powerhouse in today’s literary world. For centuries, the country has been endowed with remarkable intellectual wealth that has led to exceptional achievements. Today, with more than 20 major active writers, whose works resonate far beyond Haitian borders, Haïti is one of the countries with the highest number of writers per capita. Among these writers, we can mention Edwige Danticat, Pulitzer Prize winner; Louis-Philippe d’Alambert, Goncourt Prize for Poetry in 2024; René Depestre, Goncourt Prize for Novels in 1982; Dany Laferrière, Renaudot Prize winner and member of the French Academy; Lyonel Trouillot and Frankétienne, globally known for their works; not to forget the current star of Haitian literature, finalist of the 2022 Goncourt Prize with his masterpiece Une somme humaine, referring to Makenzy Orcel. These names stand alongside legendary figures such as Jacques Roumain, Anténor Firmin, Jacques Stéphen Alexis, and Oswald Durant, forming significant marks on world culture through their writings. Today, this literary tradition continues to nourish new talents, but one problem persists: the absence of serious and well-structured Haitian publishing houses in sufficient quantity to support these young authors.

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Literature, a Factor of Life

In a country in perpetual upheaval like Haiti, literature is not just a form of expression; it is a way of resisting, witnessing, and sharing realities that are often ignored. When a country suffers as much, people reflect more and feel the urge to share their thoughts with the public. It is in this context that publishing houses like CSimon Publishing play a crucial role. CSimon Publishing is a Haitian publishing house based in the United States, dedicated to publishing quality literary works. It strives to fill a critical gap for young Haitian authors, particularly those from the diaspora, by offering them a platform where their voices can be heard and their stories shared.

Haitian Literature, a Tool for Emancipation

Haitian literature is more alive than ever, and young Haitian writers, in particular, see these great names cited above as models to follow. However, even though the desire to create and share their art is omnipresent, many young people who have the desire to become writers and live in Haïti struggle to find a publishing house capable of meeting their expectations. The situation in Haïti is particularly complex, with few quality options to publish a work in professional conditions, even for already confirmed authors. This difficulty is also reflected in the Haitian diaspora, where many talented authors, eager to make their works known, often find themselves unable to bring their literary projects to life.

With CSimon Publishing, Haitian writers now have a reliable avenue to assert their talents and express themselves freely. CSimon aims to create new literary voices and provides the necessary means to achieve this. Many young poets and novelists have already found in this publishing house a suitable space to publish their works. They publish captivating novels, moving poems, and deep stories that can inspire lives. According to available data, CSimon has already published over 150 works.

The mission of CSimon Publishing is clear, according to its leaders: to offer Haitian writers (from Haïti or the diaspora) a high-quality platform where their literary creations can come to life in professional conditions, without compromise. Through its publications, it actively participates in the enrichment of Haitian culture, but also global culture, by contributing to the emergence of new Haitian literary voices.

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A Publishing House with Great Ambitions

Beyond simply publishing books, CSimon Publishing aims to be a key player in preserving and transmitting Haiti’s literary heritage. This is why CSimon organizes an annual Book Fair in the Grand Nord of Haiti, called the Salon du livre du Grand Nord, where its writers have priority in showcasing their works. CSimon Publishing is also one of the key partners of the Port-au-Prince Book Fair, with whom it organizes a writing contest currently underway, which will end in April 2025. This contest, titled Letter to My Favorite Author, mainly encourages people to honor their authors and practice writing and reading aloud. In short, with CSimon Publishing, there is now a reliable path that a young Haitian or anyone of any nationality can take to assert their writing talent in peace and express themselves freely. For Haitians, this publishing house is a clear place capable of preserving the heavy legacy passed down to us by names like Jacques Roumain, Jean Price Mars, Anténor Firmin, René Philoctète, Exaire Villaire, to name just a few. In this way, it continues to inspire young generations and spark literary vocations. CSimon Publishing aims to be the new guardian of this Haitian literary tradition, offering new talents the opportunity to join this prestigious lineage, while contributing to the contemporary literary dynamics of Haiti. With all these guarantees, CSimon Publishing is the ideal place to entrust one’s writing when young.

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About the Author
Moise Francois

Journalist editor, poet and apprentice lawyer.

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Boissonniere Adler yves

Je compte m'integrer Au rang des ecrivains

January 25, 2025 - 11:39:35 PM
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Haiti: The Center department, one of the departments most resistant to natural earthquakes

The Center department, commonly called Plateau Central, is one of the ten (10) departments of Haïti most robust in the face of certain natural phenomena. Before becoming one of the ten (10) departments of Haiti, the Center department was part of the Great North. It is renowned for its natural landscapes, its biosphere climate and its resistance to certain natural phenomena. In addition to its natural productions such as corn, millet and livestock, the Center department is also known for its high mountains which constitute a robust defense against certain natural phenomena such as earthquakes and floods. Composed mainly of high mountains, the department of Charlemagne Peralte and Benoît Batravil is the only one of the ten (10) not to have an outlet to the sea. However, its inhabitants take advantage of the vast rivers, rivers and lakes which cross it . With an area of ​​3,487 km², the population of the Center department is estimated at 678,626 according to a study carried out in 2009. On this same area, the department is divided into four (4) districts and twelve (12) communes. Bordered to the east by the Dominican Republic, the Center department connects other departments of the country such as Nord and Artibonite, and connects the two countries of the island through border areas like Balladère, Hinche and Cerca Carvajal. In the Center department, there are sites that could attract tourists for their natural beauty. In Saut d’Eau, there is the Saut d’Eau waterfall, in Hinche we find the Zim basin, the Péligre lake, the Péligre hydroelectric dam, the Artibonite river, and the Deux river (2 ) Rooms in Thomonde, more precisely in "El Manni", not far from the communal section of Caille-Epin. Thanks to its strong mountains and its natural climate, the Center department remains one of the most resistant departments in the event of an earthquake in Haiti.

Petit-Goave, Haiti: Decryption of the 3rd rara weekend!

It is more and more obvious that in Petit-Goave the media space is absorbed by the rivalry between Ratyèfè, triple champions and lambi gran lambi dlo, a former champion. The past weekend was once again irrefutable proof of the media tension over these two rival bands. With a carnival-like appearance, the fan club of the first dressed in a white shirt, short orange-yellow skirt, purple tie, black boot; the other dressed in a traditional hat, yellow jersey, red pants, red or yellow tennis shoes. This marriage of colors with the taste of carnival is the expression of cultural diversity as La Fontaine said in his book tales and short stories "diversity is my motto." This formula can adapt well to the rara. If it is true in Léogane this marriage of color has existed for ages. It is no less true that this was the case in Petit-Goave because we had to wait for the strong return of Ratyèfè in 2018 to see the rara fan clubs dress differently each new weekend. Last Saturday more than one expected a new face to face between Lambi gran dlo and Ratyèfè because the latter weighed anchor in the direction of the 2nd plain and the latter, in the direction of the city center. Less than in any other circumstance, this duel at the top was obvious. If for some comments it was a favorable opportunity for Lambi to take his revenge on his rival compared to the previous weekend because he had done the profile although he had the advantage because he was two against one. (Lambi,chenn tamarin vs Ratyèfè). This enormous advantage did not work in their favor because the hours that had passed worked against them, as proof they had gone to sleep while ratyèfè remained to play for at least 30 more rounds. Surprisingly but not surprisingly during the meeting long awaited by less than one, at the Acul not far from the Saint Jean-Baptiste church, lambi had decided not to play anymore. However, according to the customs and costumes of the rara when there are two bands, the one who stops playing first, shows weakness and surrender. Consequently, the other who is opposite out of decency and good morals has no other choice to do the same. It follows that for the umpteenth time the great power formation (lambi grand dlo) was unable to take revenge on its rival. For many cultural journalists who were present to witness this event did not have their tongue in their pocket to give their impression of Ratyèfè’s monster performance. This is the case for Brignol, a cultural commentary which wondered if Ratyèfè had the devil in his body so that the most incredulous were in their feeling of joy. On Sunday evening this monster of animation once again made its mark in the art of its know-how. This is what explains the almost unanimity among the cultural journalists of Petit-Goâve in granting first place to this band for its performance and its musical discipline. So, for this weekend according to the circle of cultural journalists of Petit-Goave and with the approval of many other cultural comments. We have the following classification: 1st Ratyèfè 2nd Grap Kenèp 3rd Orgueil de la jeunesse

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History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.