Media library, Kay Mizik La in Haiti

December 22, 2012 8:29 PM

In efforts conserve Haiti's precious music, the Foundation Haiti Jazz launched a media library called the "Kay Mizik La" or the "House of Music" at Port-au-Prince in the end of July. It was completed with the help of Haiti Music and Caracoli. The library aims to archive all Haitian musical works. The project was made possible with the funding of the European Union of more than $100,000 for nine months. The EU's goal is to strengthen Haiti's music industry because of its potential for both the country's economic and social development.

Haitian music is known not only for its unique and lively sound, but also for its rich history which is influenced mostly by traditional voudou and colonial slavery. Several popular music genres are the rara, mizik rasin, and the popular compas or kompa.

The Kay Mizik La is composed of different formats of Haitian music, including several music scores and books. It will soon be available to the public where, according to the Foundation Haiti Jazz's Director Milena Sandler, musicians and music enthusiasts will be able to gather virtually. In addition, workshops, conferences, debates, and lectures are planned to be organized in the library. Users will be asked to pay an annual fee for the maintenance of the project.

The media library "Kay Mizik La" has paved way to easier access and a wider reach for Haitian music. It also unites its Haitian and foreign listeners as they interact with each other about their passion online. This in turn, will hopefully be able to promote Haitian music internationally and give rise to new Haitian artists.

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