Haitian musicians died at 69

Here are 2 famous musicians from Haiti died at 69:

Petion Savain

Petion Savain (February 15, 1906 Haiti-April 5, 1975) was a Haitian writer.

He was considered to be one of the leading literary figures of the Negritude movement in the Caribbean. Savain was born in Port-au-Prince and received his primary education there. Later, he studied psychology and philosophy at the Sorbonne in Paris. He published his first book of poems, "Les Rythmes Cables", in 1938. Savain was known for his politically charged and subversive writing style, which often challenged the status quo of Haitian society. In his later years, he became an important figure in Haitian politics, using his writing to denounce the dictatorship of François "Papa Doc" Duvalier. Despite facing censorship and persecution, Savain continued to write until his death in 1975. Today, he is considered to be one of the most important Haitian writers of the 20th century.

Savain was also actively involved in the promotion of Haitian culture and the arts, and was a member of several cultural organizations such as the Société des Gens de Lettres in Paris and the Société d'Histoire et de Géographie d'Haiti. He was also a co-founder of the Haitian Writers' Institute, which aimed to encourage and support young Haitian writers.

In addition to his poetry, Savain also wrote novels and essays. His most notable work in this genre is the novel "Un Nègre raconte" (A Negro Speaks), published in 1953. The novel is a fictionalized autobiographical account of the author's experiences growing up as a black man in Haiti, and explores themes of racism, classism, and colonialism.

Savain's legacy as a writer and cultural figure continues to be celebrated in Haiti and throughout the Caribbean. In 2006, the Haitian government posthumously awarded him the Order of Honor and Merit, the country's highest civilian honor, in recognition of his contributions to Haitian literature and culture.

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Luckner Lazard

Luckner Lazard (July 7, 1928 Port-au-Prince-May 15, 1998) was a Haitian personality.

He was best known for being a folklorist, choreographer, and dancer, as well as a political activist. Lazard was a prominent figure in the Haitian cultural scene and was dedicated to preserving and promoting Haitian traditional culture, particularly through music and dance. He founded several dance companies, including the Haitian Opera Ballet and the National Folkloric Troupe, and worked to preserve and promote traditional Haitian folklore through performances, recordings, and other means. In addition to his work in the arts, Lazard was also a vocal critic of Haiti's authoritarian government, and was briefly imprisoned in the 1960s for his political activities. Despite these challenges, he continued to be an important figure in both the cultural and political spheres in Haiti until his death in 1998.

Lazard was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and showed an interest in music and dance from a young age. He was trained in classical ballet and modern dance in Haiti and later in the United States. After returning to Haiti, he began to explore traditional Haitian folk music and dance, and saw the importance of preserving these cultural traditions.

Lazard's dedication to promoting Haitian culture earned him numerous accolades, including the French Legion of Honor and the National Order of Honor and Merit of Haiti, among others. He also collaborated with international artists such as Margot Fonteyn and Maya Angelou.

In addition to his work in the arts, Lazard was a strong advocate for social justice and democracy in Haiti. He was a member of the Haitian Progressive Party and worked to support the Lavalas movement, which aimed to empower the country's poor and disenfranchised communities. Despite facing imprisonment and threats of violence, Lazard continued to speak out against the government and advocate for democratic reform.

Lazard's legacy lives on through his contributions to the preservation of Haitian traditional culture, as well as his role in advocating for social justice and democracy in Haiti.

Read more about Luckner Lazard on Wikipedia »

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