carnival

Two weeks before he became president, President Elect Jovenel Moise already igniting a war. Standing before a crowd last Sunday in the city of Les Cayes, the National Carnival would be relocating this year from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes. "The president has spoken. Period," Moïse declared.

Former Haitian President Martelly, the "King of Carnival", is known as the political mentor of President Jovenel Moise. Martelly tapped Jovenel Moise to replace him. They both are in favor of locating the Carnival in Les Cayes while Mayor Youri Chevry wants it to be played in Port-au-Prince. Two weeks before Jovenel Moise became president, he almost ignited a war. Standing before a crowd on January 22, 2017 in the city of Les Cayes, he announced, the National Carnival would be relocated this year from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes. "The president has spoken.

"Following the 2010 earthquake, then President Martelly announced that in 2012, the carnival will be moved and celebrated in Les Cayes. In less than a month, street stands were cleared away for the construction of a massive stadium viewing of the passing parade. The government sponsored music and colors of Kanaval were unparalleled. However, that 2012 National Carnival came under many allegations from different sections in Haitian society. It is still known as a tool for money laundering.

The peculiarity of Mr. Moise's decision to personally placing own decision is that holding the celebration in Les Cayes ensures participation of only 0.7% of the Haitian population. Moreover, it was a time when then president elect Moise himself was under a scanner of money laundering. The investigation was launched by a January 13, 2017 referral to Port-au-Prince's district attorney by the Central Financial Intelligence Unit (UCREF). The unit operates at an international level to investigate possible financial crimes, and the Unit Combating Corruption (ULCC), is an institution working within the Haitian executive branch to formally file criminal complaints. In 2017, Haiti's government spent some $3 million on Carnival celebrations, hoping to lure tourists and Haitians living abroad. It is still unknown how much money the festivities actually generated in Les Cayes and its surrounding areas and encouraged the economic movement in the department after the passage of Hurricane Matthew. There are few hotels in Les Cayes while Port-au-Prince boasts more than 10,000 hotel rooms.

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With reopening of the Caribbean Market Place in Little Haiti, the office of Commissioner Michelle Spence-Jones with the support of a number of sponsors will organize a Haitian Carnival in Little Haiti. February 18, 2012 will be ready to celebrate carnival just like in Haiti and it is taking place at the same time with the Carnival in Haiti

There will be plenty of music, dance, color, Haitian food and drink. Music will be assured by performances of many local groups such as Grove Relax, Rasin Lakay and Jude Papa Loko. Music bands such as the Rara Band and Conga Band will also grace the occasion.

This carnival in Little Haiti along with the reopening of the Caribbean Market Place in Little Haiti will be used to promote tourism. It is a good way to show to the world that the tourism industry in Haiti can be revamped.

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Here is a picture of Mr. Grey Pierson he was he was visiting Tortuga Island in 1972.

In 1968, François "Papa Doc" Duvalier needed a radio ship that could transmit his propaganda across the Caribbean and to Latin America. It was then he came into the contact of Don Pierson, a Cadillac dealer from Eastland who had two abandoned radio ships, but both were moored across the Atlantic off the coast of south-east England. Pierson struck a deal of $70 million for the ships and 'Papa Doc' though could not afford to pay the amount, leased Tortuga Island instead in 1972 on condition of equal sharing joint venture between the Haitian government and "Dupont Caribbean Inc". When in July, 2014, the Miami based Carnival Corporation announced its investment plan for US $ 700 million with the Haitian government for constructing a cruise port in the Tortuga island and transform that into a tourist Mecca, nobody was aware that one Texan named Pierson has inherited the absolute right on the island from his father on a 99 year lease contract, dated April 5, 1971. However, subsequent to that date, the Haitian government absolved itself from entire financial and all other responsibilities and granted 99 years exclusive leasehold right and full commercial authority to the Pierson 's corporation as then the Island of Tortuga was a barren place without any road, electricity or public utility services. Pierson's 'Dupont Caribbean Inc' immediately started investment and promotion activities to improve the image of Tortuga Island. As of the agreement "Dupont Caribbean Inc" was given all authority to issue licenses on trading at Tortuga and it has still remained effective.

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The Carnival of Flowers 2013 could have been nicknamed the Carnival of Injuries. Illnesses, liquor and bad choices that led to altercations, saw a reported 800 or so people being injured, including four children, during the three day span of activities marking the 2nd annual Carnival since its revival, with one fatality tarnishing the festivities after a man, said to be in his thirties, fell off a float and was fatally injured.

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In an effort to avoid public outrage, Carnaval officials have claimed Carnaval des Fleurs netted 21 million gourdes in 2012. Nothing could be further from the truth. Independent analysts say Carnaval figures add up to a 46-million gourde loss.

Losses accrue from Carnaval performers living and spending their earnings outside Haiti. And Carnaval sellers don't report their profits to the tax collector. In other words, the Haitian tax payer is paying for Carnaval out of their income.

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Haiti did not begin to hold Carnaval des Fleurs until 2012 after a 39-year absence. The reason is well-known. Carnaval does not make money. But the Haitian government decided to start holding it again last year in the hopes it might be profitable.

The government believes Carnaval stimulates the economy and have the figures to prove it, a 21-million gourde profit for 2012.

Critics say the government is lying; in fact Carnaval posted a net loss of 46 million gourdes instead.

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Culture Minister, Dupuy, and Carnaval Chairman, Dany, insist Carnaval has made a profit. Their budget analysis determined Carnaval took in 21 million gourdes.

Independent financial analysts say the opposite: the figures total a loss of 46 million gourdes, more than double the government's profit tally.

Losses are incurred by Carnaval because merchants, who provide services for the event, don't disclose profits to the tax collector. And foreign performers don't spend their earnings in Haiti.

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Carnaval des Fleurs will be held July 28th, 29th, and 30th, 2013. Carnaval security offers the following tips to make attendees safe.

• Don't stand near Carnaval des Fleurs parade. Keep on the outside of crowds to avoid pick-pocketing and/or random acts of violence.

• Walk in well-lit areas going and coming from Carnaval des Fleurs. Dark alleys offer thugs a chance to rob, beat, or rape victims.

• Carry a mobile phone and program emergency 114 into it.

• Don't wear bling.

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Carnaval des Fleurs in Haiti with the popular slogan, Se La pou La

Carnaval des Fleurs organizers will hold this year's celebration at Champs des Mars.

With huge crowds anticipated to hear the battle of the Compás bands, motorists must avoid traveling in the south part of Haiti, where overflow congestion may tie up traffic.

Travelers are advised to drive carefully to avoid drunk drivers. To avoid gridlock in the surrounding areas of Carnaval, the public should use their radios for information about the Carnaval route.

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Here is a sample of Carnaval des fleurs in Haiti in 2012

Port-au-Prince, Haiti is hosting the Carnaval des Fleurs on July 28, 29, and 30, 2013. Several Compás groups are scheduled to perform at the Champs des Mars Carnaval site.

Djakout #1, T-Vice, Carimi, Kreyol La, Barikad Crew, and Rockfam will participate in a battle of the bands for best Compás Group of Carnaval 2013.

The Haitian National Police caution celebrants to protect themselves by staying in groups and carrying all money and ids in their front pockets.

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