E-020/2000
February 4, 2000
HAITIAN PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY AT OAS FOR ARTISTIC
SPOTLIGHT ON HAITI’S BICENTENNIAL OF INDEPENDENCE
Haiti’s First Lady, Géri Benoît-Préval, on Thursday evening opened a 54-piece exhibition at the Organization of American States (OAS) entitled "Journey Towards Freedom," featuring drawings and prints by Haitian-American artists Ulrick Jean-Pierre and Raymond Pressoir.
The First Lady was accompanied by President René Préval, who met earlier with OAS Assistant Secretary General Ambassador Christopher Thomas, Permanent Council Chairman Belize Ambassador James Murphy and other OAS officials—a meeting Mr. Préval described as "very constructive, very good" as he made mention of the electoral observation mission the OAS is preparing to send to Haiti for the upcoming legislative, municipal and local government elections scheduled for March 19.
Inviting the dignitaries and other guests to view the artistic display on her country, Mme. Préval said the exhibition "reminds us not only of the glory and splendor of Haiti... our gains and losses, but especially of our long struggle against slavery and all kinds of intolerance."
Ambassador Thomas hailed Haiti’s renown in the artistic world, noting that Haitians have been "extremely successful in expressing their history, culture, aspirations and above all their personal ideals through their art." Citing the Haitian revolution and independence as a defining moment, Thomas went on to stress how the collection of artworks on display "touches on the most significant event in the history of Haiti and resonates with the spirit of freedom and the determination to achieve it."
Running through February 10, the exhibition at the OAS’ Art Gallery consists of mainly prints and lithographs that depict various aspects of Haitian life in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is part of a promotional program that will culminate in the year 2004, when Haiti celebrates the bicentennial of its revolution and independence.
For video tape of the ceremony contact: [email protected]
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