Livres en Folie, Haiti’s popular book fair will go on despite security crisis

PORT-AU-PRINCE — The 30th edition of the Livres en Folie fair is confirmed to take place in the Haitian capital on August 15 as planned. A total of 84 writers, whose new books will be displayed among 1,079 titles, are invited to be present for signings at the festival. The event will be held at Hotel Juvenat, in Pétion-Ville, despite the climate marked by escalating gang-fueled insecurity causing many deaths and massive displacements of people. To the delight of book enthusiasts, the organizers wish to continue the tradition of the fair by offering readers the opportunity to acquire books at more affordable prices.

Initially, there were doubts about the organization of the Livres en Folie fair in Haiti. Usually, this book fair, which brings together publishers, authors, and readers, takes place on the Feast of God in May. However, growing insecurity forced officials to review their agenda and act cautiously. Finally, the organizers decided not to give up and announced that the fair will  still be held this year on August 15, on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption.

“We have just gone through a difficult year for everyone, but also difficult for publishing houses, printing companies, and especially for authors,” said Max Chauvet, one of the organizers, during  the event’s launch conference on Monday. “Producing a book currently is a challenge, it’s a fight, a way of the cross. So, we will try to support them,” he added.

Anaïse Chavenet, head of Communication Plus S.A., a publishing and book sales company, expressed her delight that the Livres en Folie celebration could finally be realized this year, despite the persistent insecurity.

“Whether there is an earthquake, the football [soccer] World Cup, or bad weather, Livres en Folie is there,” said Chavenet, referring to the month of May missed by the fair. “This year we came close to a catastrophe, I would say. Fortunately, we got through it, and the mass of the Feast of God will be held on the day of the Assumption.”

Indeed, 2024 has been marked by a heavy toll in terms of gang violence. Nearly 600,000 people, half of them children, have been forced to flee their homes due to repeated gang attacks, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) reported 3,884 killings and injuries related to gang violence in the first six months of  the year. The first quarter was the most violent period in Haiti since early 2022, with 2,505 incidents, according to BINUH.

The details for this 30th edition of Livres en Folie

It is in this context of insecurity that Le Nouvelliste and Unibank — the two companies organizing jointly the annual book festival — will sign a thousand books during the fair, ranging from collections of poetry to novels, including essays, short stories, books of theatre plays, history, and others for children and adolescents.

This year, there will be no guest of honor, in contrary to past editions. The emphasis will be placed on Haitian thought, as decided by the organizers, taking into account the situation where insecurity attacks memory, knowledge, and understanding.

On the occasion, the organizers recommend a reading list to all Haitians, in Haiti or elsewhere. The list comprises 165 authors, living or deceased, to understand the history of Haiti through novels, poems, essays, testimonies, and research, indicates Frantz Duval, editor-in-chief of Le Nouvelliste.

Another novelty of this edition is the presence of 84 Haitian authors who will put their newly published books on sale. These works will be presented to the public for the first time during Livres en Folie. A total of 1,079 different titles will be available to readers during the fair.

A 40% discount will be applied to all books, with an additional 10% reduction for payments made with a Unicarte credit card, underlined Rachel Roc, vice-president of commercial relations at UNIBANK. People from the general public can attend the fair for fee of 1,000 Gourdes or $7 (USD), allowing them access to nearly 1,100 book titles to buy from at more affordable prices.

At the same time, for those who will not be able to attend the event in person, online sales began on August 12 on the event official site www.livresenfolie.com. Thanks to this option, the inhabitants of six provincial towns — Jérémie, Jacmel, Cap-Haïtien, Limbé, Ouanaminthe, and Les Cayes — will have the opportunity to make their purchases and collect their books from collection points.

For the moment, the diaspora can only buy books through people residing in Haiti, emphasized Duval. There are no points of sale or collection abroad yet.

“We are really happy to be able to make this book event possible this year,” said Roc. “For all the authors who made the effort to continue this literary production despite difficult times, we, the organizers, congratulate them, and this event is here to demonstrate our commitment to serving culture.”

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