The
Fifteenth Annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards
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| Caribbean
Sunshine Award Dancers |
The
15th Annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards was held at the Imperial Ballroom of the
Sheraton Hotel, New York on Sunday, September 28. The award is given annually
by Gilman T. Figaro, Sr., and the Caribbean Sunshine Awards team to Caribbean
men and women who have worked tremendously to promote, preserve and perpetuate
the rich and diverse art forms of all Caribbean nations. This
year’s Caribbean Sunshine Awards was dedicated to the celebration of the
bicentennial of the Haitian Revolution.
In
August 1791, a massive slave uprising erupted in the French colony, Saint Dominque,
now known as Haiti. Historians believed that the rebellion was ignited by a Voodoo
service organized by Boukman, a Voodoo priest. Thus began a thirteen year struggle
which led to Haiti’s independence in 1804, and which made Haiti the first
black republic in the world and the first independent nation in Latin America.
The
organizers of the Caribbean Sunshine Awards wanted to pay tribute to the heroes
of the Haitian
revolution
and to the brave men and women who fought against the honor of slavery and colonialism.
In this regard, a number of Haitian officials and artists were invited to partake
in the 2003 Caribbean Sunshine Awards, including Haiti’s Ambassador to the
United Nations, Dr. Jean C. Alexandre, Consul General of Haiti, Mr. Harry Fouche,
and Haitian musical group, Tabou Combo.
"
The Fifteenth annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards is dedicated to the celebration
of the Haitian Revolution. Tonight we remember and pay tribute to the many brave
and courageous men and woman of African descent who fought against the horror
of slavery and defeated one of the greatest armies in the world- the army of Napoleon.
The blood and agony of those brave men and women gave birth to the first nation
of freed blacks in the western hemisphere-- Haiti ", Gilman T. Figaro , Sr.
Founder of the Caribbean Sunshine Awards.
An
entire segment of the evening was dedicated to Haitian history, and the leaders
of the revolution, including Jean Jacques Dessalines, Capois La Mort, and particularly
Toussaint L’ouverture. A narrator read excerpts from a Haitian history book
highlighting selected key events of the slave uprising in Saint Dominque from
1791 to 1804. Indeed, the organizers of the Caribbean Sunshine Awards did an excellent
job emphasizing the great importance of the Haitian Revolution to the world and
to those nations concerned with revolutionary class struggles, colonialism, black
history, Latin American and the Caribbean. As Haiti prepares to commemorate the
200th Anniversary of the revolution, one can only hope that concerned Haitian
citizens will come together to improve the abysmal social and economic situation
in the country.
"The
Haitian revolution set a fine example for to other African, here and abroad, to
believe that they could overcome the hindrance of oppression", Manhattan
Borough President C. Virginia Fields.
' Brooklyn
is the Haitian capital of America! Haitian Brooklynites have helped to make Brooklyn
the greatest city in the world! We understand that freedom and independence are
not simply ideas and dream- they are real living things which survive grow stronger
every day because we give them life, through our actions, our words, what we teach
our children, and how we relate to each other. . the road to freedoms been challenged
in Haiti, but the independence spirit that fought for independence 200 years ago
remains strong today. We here in Brooklyn, and across America , salute you for
your leadership, courage and bravery in the fight for Haiti's freedom. The Caribbean
Sunshine Awards is a great way to honor this dynamic country's incredibly proud
and rich history", Marty Markowizt, Brooklyn Borough President.
The
Awards Ceremonies began at 8:00 PM and drew a distinguished crowd from nations
throughout
the
Caribbean. The show started with an exciting display of colorful sequenced costumed
dancers with the abundance of vibrant energy drawing from the rhythms of Caribbean
music and culture.
A
two hour segment was reserved for presentation of special recognition and awards
for drama, music, and film making. This year, the 2003 Caribbean Sunshine Awards
recognized and honored the creativity of outstanding artists and performers. Awards
were given to Paul Keens-Douglas of Trinidad & Tobago, one of the most eloquent
raconteurs and dramatists in the English-speaking Caribbean, and Freddie McGregor
of Jamaica, internationally acclaimed singer, song writer and producer. Additionally,
special awards were also given to Tabou Combo of Haiti, for their contribution
to Caribbean music and to Jean Julien, a Haitian historian and educator. Frantz
Voltaire, a distinguished political scientist, was also honored for his humanitarian
work and a series of short film and documentaries about Haiti’s social, political,
and economic conditions.
The
evening concluded with a stellar performance by Haiti’s most famous Konpa
group TabouCombo accompanied by the Mighty Sparrow, one of Trinidad’s most
outstanding calypsonians. Tabou combo, the musical has been together since 1968,
performed some of the best loved songs in their musical Libraries.
The 2003 Caribbean Sunshine Awards was an excellent evening of culture with elegeant
and style.
NB:
Congratulations all to Caribbean Sunshine Awards winners and participants.
A
special thank you to the organizers of Caribbean Sunshine Awards and to Mr. OUDLEY
Cave for their courtesy extend to Heritagekonpa Staff during the show which made
our task an easy one.
Let
Know know what do you think post your coment here
All pictures were taking by George Claude
and Muller Noel.
More pictures coming soon.
