GFF and Digital Library of the Caribbean Announce "Haiti: An Island Luminous"

Haiti: An Island LuminousFebruary 19, 2011
A new partnership between the Digital Library of the Caribbean (dLOC) and the Green Family Foundation (GFF) will enable the completion of a one-of-a-kind exhibit that provides a free, online experience that walks users through the complex and often understudied history of Haiti, from the Arawak indigenous groups through the fall of Jean-Claude Duvalier.

Haiti: An Island Luminous features contributions from current scholars and students, excerpts from past publications, and direct links providing free access to books, manuscripts and newspapers, joining expert commentary and original documents to introduce users to 500 years of Haitian history.

The exhibit, in English, French and Haitian Creole, will cover five centuries of Haitian history in more than 170 interactive slides.  The slides will link directly to full text resources already available in the Digital Library of the Caribbean with a navigational toolbar that will allow users to explore Haiti's history by time period.

"Haiti: An Island Luminous is a vital platform highlighting Haiti's rich cultural heritage and contributions to the world stage," said Kimberly Green, president of The Green Family Foundation. "We are proud to partner with FIU and dLOC to establish institutionalized memory, and, in working with Haitians, to 'build back better' through cultural competency and elevating the importance of Haitian patrimony."

GFF and dLOC formally announced "Haiti: An Island Luminous" on Thursday, February 17, 2011 following a film screening of "Égalité for All: Investing in Haiti’s Cultural Heritage," at The Little Haiti Cultural Center. GFF President Kimberly Green, FIU's Chantalle Verna and Laura Probst, Kate Ramsey from UM's Department of History, and author Edwidge Danticat all made remarks at the event.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A GALLERY OF THE EVENT

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE