Haitian kitemaking takes flight at Brooklyn Children’s Museum 

By Darlie Gervais

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Harvey Girard leaned over her delicate pink and green kite, her small hands carefully decorating and pressing down the final strips of paper. As she stood back to admire her creation, her face lit up. Around her, children with their parents buzzed with excitement, their tables scattered with colorful paper, string, and glue—a vibrant snapshot of culture and creativity in action.

The creative energy came alive at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum on December 14, where families gathered for a kite-making workshop organized by the Haiti Cultural Exchange in collaboration with Tètpwav Solèy and PwavKAP (Keep Art Poppin). The event, now in its second year, provided a hands-on opportunity to explore Haitian heritage through a craft deeply rooted in Haiti and shared across the Caribbean.

“I wanted to come because I thought I would like it,” Harvey said with a wide smile, watching her kite come together.  

Parents, kids, and instructors buzzed with energy as colorful paper, string, and glue turned into vibrant kites. “Kite-making connects families, builds creativity, and teaches basic geometry concepts,” said instructor Solèy who guided participants through every stage, from the frame’s skeleton to the final artistic touches. 

As Tètpwav Solèy led the workshop, he took delight in sharing the cultural significance behind the translation of “kite” in Haitian Creole. In Haiti, the word for “kite” is kap, and the phrase monte kap literally means “flying a kite.” Tètpwav Solèy playfully explained that kap also translates to Kite Atizay Pale, meaning “let the art speak.” He further connected the act of flying a kite to the spirit of expression and creativity deeply embedded in Haitian culture.

“It’s not just about kites,” said Kinsley Girard, Harvey’s father, originally from Trinidad. “I loved flying kites as a child. Seeing my daughter interested brought back those memories of running with kites soaring behind me.” For Kinsley, whose wife Denicia is from St. Lucia, the event was a bridge between generations and cultures.

The experience resonated with Kerron Gilford, who brought his two sons, Khrystian and baby Kyrie, from Upstate New York. 

“Flying kites is part of Guyanese culture, too,” he said. “This was a chance for my kids to explore creativity, connecting to traditions and coming to Brooklyn where I grew up. Growing up in Brooklyn, I was surrounded by Haitian food and culture—I love griot. It feels natural to have my kids here.”

The workshop wasn’t just about creating—it was about experiencing. Children eagerly cut shapes, pasted vibrant patterns, and watched in awe as Tètpwav Solèy helped them craft their masterpieces, using a piece of cloth to make the tail. 

The magic moment came when the children followed the instructor and took their kites outside to the museum’s front plaza to fly them or, ‘monte kap,’ as we say in Creole.

A bright green kite, handled by the instructor, caught the wind first. Kids squealed in delight, jumping and cheering as it soared above the museum, fluttering against the crisp December sky. Around the Brooklyn Children Museum, children dashed in every direction, their handmade creations bobbing behind them as proud parents clapped and smiled.

For many families, it was an afternoon of joyful learning, a chance to experience Haïtian and other Caribbean traditions right in the heart of Brooklyn.

The post Haitian kitemaking takes flight at Brooklyn Children’s Museum  appeared first on The Haitian Times.

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Haitian kitemaking takes flight at Brooklyn Children’s Museum  was first posted on December 16, 2024 at 1:54 pm.