Fête de la Musique showcases Haiti’s full musical spectrum in Port-au-Prince

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Fête de la Musique, French for Music Festival, returned to Port-au-Prince last month with hundreds packing the courtyard and hall of the Centre Culturel Brésil for a night of rhythm, resistance and cultural unity in a city that has endured far too many months of silence.

“Music is the heartbeat of our lives. In today’s context, it saves lives, it heals, it unites. Music has always been a space for resistance,” said Francisco “Cisco” Lafrance, founder of Pawòl Tambou or “Words of Drum”—one of the participating acts.

From early afternoon into the night of June 21, the Centre Culturel Brésil buzzed with energy as acts of every style took the stage. The lineup ranged from urban poetry and politically charged performances to the deep rhythms of traditional and ritual music, ending with the pulsating beats of an electronic DJ set — each genre adding its own flavor to the night of music celebration.

This year’s lineup showcased a bold mix of musical styles, blending tradition, experimentation, and international collaboration. One of the evening’s standout acts was Motif Mizik, created by Haitian musicians Mathieu Michel and Pierre-Ely, along with Brazilian percussionist Neno Garbers.

Their set built a sonic bridge between Port-au-Prince and Rio de Janeiro, blending Brazil’s smooth bossa nova with Haiti’s layered percussion and contemporary sounds. It was a performance that felt both rooted and adventurous, unfolding like a conversation across cultures.

For the audience, the fusion was more than just an artistic experiment — it was an invitation to explore and imagine new musical possibilities. In a country where isolation remains a constant challenge, such moments of exchange offered a rare glimpse of connection.

Haiti’s role in the global story of music makes the annual celebration even more special. Started in France in 1982, Fête de la Musique now reaches over 120 countries. In Haiti, it has been a regular event since the early 2000s thanks to the French Institute in Haiti (IFH, its French acronym) and its partners.

The country, known worldwide for its Konpa and Rasin music—the roots-driven movement, has long stood at a musical crossroads. Haitian musicians have embraced jazz, bossa nova, rock, hip-hop and electronic music, often blending them with traditional rhythms to craft new genres. That versatility has made Haiti a reference point in international music circles — and a stage where local talent can speak to the world.

Another highlight of the night was violinist Leyla Séide, known as Leyla Mizik, who began her performance by blending classical precision with popular melodies. She was a revelation to many music lovers in Port-au-Prince who came to celebrate.

Lenny Auguste followed with a socially charged set, while Néhémie Bastien drew the crowd into a more intimate space with her powerful vocals and emotional depth.

And then, Pawòl Tambou brought the crowd back to ancestral rhythms, grounding the celebration in traditional percussion and chants. The band Nanm Vodou, Haitian Creole for “Soul of Vodou,” closed the live performances with a powerful display of rasin music, carrying spiritual significance and collective memory.

To wrap up the night on a high note, DJ Kemissa transformed the venue into an outdoor dance floor with an energetic electronic set that kept festival-goers on their feet.

“I didn’t expect such a large crowd,” said festival participant Dalaicham Ganthier. “Leyla stood out with her mix of classical and popular rhythms. Motif Mizik impressed me with their cultural fusion. And Nanm finished the night with incredible energy,” Ganthier added.

A symbolic and defiant event in a gang-controlled Port-au-Prince

The event on June 21 occurred despite significant challenges. Over the past years and in recent months, insecurity in Port-au-Prince has led many cultural institutions to suspend or reduce activities. IFH, which previously operated from its own headquarters, has moved its programming, including this year’s celebration, from downtown Port-au-Prince to the Centre Culturel Brésil, located in a higher area of Pétion-Ville— less than 10 miles southeast of downtown.

For IFH, holding the event wasn’t symbolic — it was an act of defiance. 

“Fête de la Musique is more than just a cultural event for us,” said Léo Isaac, communications director at IFH. “It’s a space for connection, peaceful resistance, creation, and solidarity. In the face of the challenges Haiti is facing, our motivation remains the same: to reaffirm the crucial role of culture, and of music especially, in strengthening social bonds and collective resilience.”

As the official program concluded, the celebration spilled into the nearby famous Place Boyer, where Hands Up & Reggae Mapou staged an impromptu concert. Small groups danced, sang, and shared the night together, proving that even in a city weighed down by fear, joy still finds a way to flourish.

Fête de la Musique this year didn’t just entertain. It reminded Port-au-Prince that music remains one of Haiti’s most enduring forces — connecting people, healing wounds, and keeping the beat alive regardless of the odds.

 “In a time filled with uncertainty, insecurity, and often discouragement, Fête de la Musique offers a glimmer of hope,” Isaac said. “It gives voice to artists, showcases the richness of Haiti’s musical traditions. The festival brings people together around something inspiring—something uplifting.”

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