Fest

From October 25 to November 3, the cultural direction of the Hotel Oloffson will organize in Haiti the first edition of GEDE FEST. It is an original event that combines arts, culture, history, gastronomy, putting the group RAM of Haiti, the group Preservation Hall Jazz Band on the front line thanks to the support of the Preservation Hall Foundation and the famous chef Donald Link from New Orleans.
Part of the ambitious new concept "TWIN SISTERS REUNITED | TWIN SISTERS MEET | REYINYON MARASA ", the GEDE FEST event will take place in Port-au-Prince and Jacmel in the wake of the Day of the Dead, a symbolic moment of the Haitian culture and that of twin sister, New Orleans.

For having known the French colonization, the Republic of Haiti and New Orleans (NOLA) are linked by their historical past and their cultural wealth based in particular on voodoo, gastronomy, Creole culture. That's what gives GEDE FEST its meaning.

With a rich and varied program, this first edition of GEDE FEST will offer nine (9) days of cultural immersion to festival-goers who will be able to make interesting discoveries. Among the highlights of this festival are conferences on historical-cultural relations between Haiti and New Orleans, three (3) musical concerts offered by the artists of the RAM group, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Arcade Fire, and than other surprise guests; a parade of rara and Second Line bands; two (2) free demonstration and tasting days offered by Chef Donald Link of the famous Link Restaurant Group and other Haitian chefs; an exhibition of works of art by the famous Haitian sculptor André Eugène; music workshops and a dance master class led by Isabelle Morse.

This multicultural event will be an excellent opportunity for Haitian and foreign artists and the general public to network and strengthen the links between Haiti and NOLA while valuing the origins they share in common. As such, GEDE FEST will not fail to arouse interest and attract local and foreign visitors for which tour packages will be organized for the occasion. This should allow both communities to rediscover their historical-cultural roots and maintain solidarity relations, but also to create investment in trade and tourism.

RAM is a group of "mizik Ayisyen" founded by singer and songwriter Richard A. Morse who lends him the initials of his name. He started playing in 1990 and recorded his first album in 1991. His musical style is described in the USA as "Voodoo rock" resulting from a combination of modern rock and traditional instruments and songs of Haitian vodou, such as rara cornets, Petro drums etc.

PRESERVATION HALL was established in 1961 to honor one of America's most authentic artistic expressions: New Orleans Traditional Jazz. With its own concert hall, traveling music group and non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture.

The Preservation Hall Foundation was launched in 2011 to protect, preserve and perpetuate New Orleans' musical traditions and heritage through music education, international and community outreach, archives, projects multimedia, intercultural collaborations, its legacy program and more. The Foundation creates greater awareness and appreciation for New Orleans music and the communities that support it.

The Link Restaurant Group was founded in January 2009 by Donald Link, James Beard Award Winner, and his partner Stephen Stryjewski, to support the continued growth of their family of restaurants, including Herbsaint, Pig, Pork Butcher, Calcasieu, Fishing and Bakery. Their guiding philosophy is to produce simple and honest food. Growing up in Southern Louisiana taught Chef Link the importance of