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Frankétienne (1936-2025): A Tireless Defender of Haitian Culture and UNESCO Artist for Peace
The man whom Aimé Césaire called "M Haiti" captured like no one else the many facets of his homeland, "an enigmatic, chaotic, and mysterious massif."
A tireless humanist and staunch defender of Haitian identity, freedom of expression, and social justice, Frankétienne drew strength from artistic creation to resist. He leaves behind an innovative and generous body of work, driven by his desire to explore, as he once said, "the complexity of our universe and its mysterious energy in perpetual motion."
Frankétienne, whose departure leaves an immense void, made a lasting impact on the literary and artistic scene with his plays, poems, novels, and short stories that reflected the richness and complexity of Haitian society. His first novel in Creole, ¶Ùé³ú²¹´Ú¾±, as well as his paintings and performances, established him as an exceptional multidisciplinary artist.
A strong advocate for education, he founded a school in Port-au-Prince, sharing his passion for knowledge with future generations. Awarded numerous honors, including the Pablo Neruda Prize in 2004, he also made an indelible mark with his performance of Melovivi ou le Piège at UNESCO, a prophetic work he had written on the eve of the devastating 2010 earthquake.
The October-December 2023 issue of the UNESCO Courier featured an interview with him, highlighting his unique perspective on Haitian society and his unwavering commitment to culture.
Frankétienne passed away on 20 February 2025.
