A juggler-fire eater performs in front of the Port-au-Prince Town Hall stand on Feb. 19, 2023. Photo by Juhakenson Blaise
A juggler-fire eater performs in front of the Port-au-Prince Town Hall stand on Feb. 19, 2023. Photo by Juhakenson Blaise

PORT-AU-PRINCE — At barely 10 a.m. on Sunday, under the glare and heat of the sun, thousands of revelers arrived timidly on Champ de Mars to watch performers in glittery costumes made to sparkle in the dark of night. Haiti 509, a group of dancers dressed in white, red, green and blue, lured dozens as they jiggled to the tune of a rasin music along the parade route. Other groups, including Soul Rasta, Flash and On the Move kept revelers on their feet ahead of the floats.

“We don't want to stay at home, but there's not really a craze this year,” said a reveler, chacha in hands, dancing to the tune of an arriving band.

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I am Juhakenson Blaise, a journalist based in the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I cover the news that develops in this city and deals with other subjects related to the experience of Haitians for the Haitian Times newspaper. I am also a lover of poetry.