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Bannzil Kiba Kreyòl:
An Enriching Cultural Experience

A Look at Haiti- 2003

Reversing the Brain Drain:
The Haitian-American
Skill Share Foundation

Cultural Revolution
of 2004: IDENTITY

Edwidge Danticat: the butterfly's way

Louis Harold Joseph:
Quietly Made His Mark

Beethova Obas

Emeline Michel

Haitian Embassy

Japanese Embassy

The Bridge
from Haiti to Japan
by Jean-Michel Mathurin
and Katya Charles Barrett

When you think of the charm of the Caribbean being shared abroad you think of many countries and cultures but has Japan ever been one of those places that might also be seduced by the sultry sounds of the Pearl of the Antilles? Well thanks to an extraordinary individual The Land of Rising Sun is slowly falling into the hypnotic trance of Haiti. With each beat of the drum, Japan is becoming a new frontier for Haitian art and artist alike. Being geographically far from the Caribbean, Japan is now an oasis for the budding taste of Haitian culture. Like the Pied Piper of long ago there is one man paving the way for Haitian culture in this distant land.

Haiti recently celebrated fifty years of diplomatic relationship with Japan. Much of that alliance however, was merely symbolic and not as strong as we would have liked. Due to this, the Haitian government made a conscience decision to solidify that bond by sending an ambassador to Japan. What would this individual actually do in Japan was not quite clear yet to him or his superiors but it would at least be a beginning to a renewed link of the two cultures separated by more than the oceans.

His Excellency Marcel Duret, was dispatched to Japan in 1991 as a Charge D’affaire and with that became Haiti’s ambassador to Japan. Mr. Duret quickly found himself in a challenging position within three weeks of his portfolio being accepted Haiti’s government had experienced a coup. Being this was his first encounter in a diplomatic post he had no idea on what to do, after all, his previous position had him working with several groups to empower the working class back in Haiti. As Mr. Duret waited for further instructions from his home base it became apparent that he had to do something to occupy his time and so he chose to fulfill his duties as an ambassador until otherwise advised. Realizing that he was definitely far from home and the only Haitian in the embassy with a tight budget he did what businessmen do best. He opted to sell the Japanese the rich and diverse culture that he had always known to be priceless. As he jokingly pointed out “I could not give them much information because for the most part they knew more than I did.” He then began this ambitious quest to promote Haitian culture in Japan and with that started a journey for many Haitian artist, who are grateful for Mr. Duret’s pioneering efforts as one of the greatest ambassador of Haiti in our time. His efforts have opened the door for these artists to share their wealth of culture with the Japanese. It is not uncommon to see a picture of the famous Haitian conga player Azor in a Japanese newspaper or to see a poster of Emeline Michel to be appearing in a festival at a busy Tokyo station. The list is extensive from Beethovas Obas to writer Edwidge Danticat to playwright Frank Etienne not to mention Bookman Experience, Boukan Ginen and many more.

The Haitian music is one aspect in which the Ambassador has skillfully infected the Japanese people but the art is the most visually stimulating. Haitian art has emerged to be one of the biggest selling forms of art on canvas in Japan. Haitian art pieces have sold for the equivalent of $25,000 in U.S. currency at auctions there. The Ambassador with the help of his Japanese assistants, for the most part, organizes these auctions. This six-foot plus black man with a mature pepper gray hair, maneuvers around Tokyo as if he were in Port au Prince or maybe New York, with the same ease and confidence as the locals. Fitting well into his new environment he is barely noticed even though he is usually the only black male for blocks at a time. He does confess to speaking some Japanese but being in his presence there is a feeling of him being more fluent than he admits. The Ambassador is enthralled by his work and his enthusiasm is evident as he is constantly on the move. EchodHaiti.com recently spent the better part of a day with the Ambassador and after a quick chat on the phone his chauffeured driven car pulled in to the hotel. Recognizable as he is the only colored man in the lobby he opens his arms to welcome me as if we had been friends from long ago. It was not very long before I was invited by the Ambassador to join him on a trip to Fukuyama, a city approximately four hours away from Tokyo. As we wind our way through the bustling streets of Tokyo I questioned him on what he hopes to accomplish from all of this. “My hope is that our culture will become something that helps us open doors with a smile, as oppose to other negative concepts about us and our country.” Through the window of his car I couldn’t help notice that even though I was more than a day away from where I came from it felt as if I were driving through Port au Prince. The Ambassador continued with his jokes and consistent charm as he shared stories about Bookman Experience being his first invited guest to Japan. Most assuredly all his guests stay at his home upon arrival. Arriving at the bustling train station appropriately called Tokyo Station; I found myself walking briskly in order to keep up with the Ambassador who does not ease his pace.

The following morning, there were meetings with mayors of the city and school board officials eager to teach young Japanese children about Haitian art and culture. His phone never ceases to ring “Mushi, Mushi” as he proudly responds. With the conversation changing from Japanese to English it is obvious that this man loves what he does. Another day in his office (The Haitian Embassy) several Japanese assistants answer the phone conversing in Japanese, French and English. Amidst this frantic scene are Japanese businessmen waiting in another room to speak to the Ambassador about his plans through an interpreter. There is also a French photographer waiting, who has recently published a major article on Haitian culture and voodoo in the famous magazine Marie Claire which, is published in Shanghai. The office takes on a life of it own as all of these individuals dance to the Ambassador’s tune. He is the focal point of the entire buzz and action in Japan concerning Haitian culture.

Long after all the assistants have gone and the phones have somewhat quieted, Mr. Duret is still in his office, this time displaying his latest project; a movie, which is a collaboration of a Japanese and Haitian artist. The titled of this soon to be released film is “Haiti Coeur Battan.” As if this were not enough, on his desk several CD’s have collected, projects he has produced with Japanese and Haitian artist. Forever bridging the cultural gap between Haiti and Japan the Ambassador works passionately on all of his projects. Thinking of a good description for Ambassador Duret is virtually impossible due to the fact that there is no word to adequately describe an individual of this magnitude. Although Ambassador Duret hints that he won’t be doing this for much longer, one gets the impression that whatever he does after this will only be icing the cake. He has opened the doors and paved the way for his predecessor and hopefully they can size his shoes before attempting to fill them.

© EchodHaiti.com, 05/2003