Freedom and Dignity: Haitian Flag Day

In honor of Haitian Flag Day, join us to celebrate Haitian freedom and dignity with string quartet music by Haitian composers. Enjoy the Trio à Rosemène by trailblazing, early twentieth-century Haitian composer Werner Jaegerhuber, who combined Haitian folk melodies and Western compositional techniques to create a style all his own. Originally written for the Borromeo String Quartet, Jean “Rudy” Perrault’s Exodus String Quartet is dedicated to all people forced from their homelands.

Haitian-American composer Gifrant’s Rara Kout Dlo Cho, Kout Dlo Frèt captures the spirit of Haitian rara, a lively harvest-time musical processional. Incertitudes! was commissioned of Dickens Princivil by Crossing Borders Music in 2023. Written after Princivil was kidnapped and released, the music honors the experiences of Haitians whose lives have been touched by political insecurity. Finally, “Klap Ur Handz” from Daniel Bernard Roumain’s String Quartet #5 (Rosa Parks) reminds us of the power of joy and collective action on the path to justice.

Date: Saturday, May 9
Time: 3 PM
Venue: Harold Washington Library Center – Grand Lobby
Free and Open to the Public