Haitian writer gives a conference at the UDA
The April 5 was the conference of Gary Víctor, Haitian writer and journalist, at the University of Azuay, invited by the Alliance Française de Cuenca for the party of the "Francophonie 2019" which celebrates the diversity and solidarity between the groups that share, in addition to the French language, similar ideologies of democracy and fight against discrimination.
"Internationalization at home is the fundamental motto of a contemporary university; not only do we internationalize when we visit other places or other worlds, but when we visit these worlds, "said Rector Francisco Salgado at the welcome.
Freedom of expression and the relationship between journalism and power in Haiti were the topics to be discussed at the conference. Gary Víctor, agronomist by profession, decided to become a writer, not only for his love of letters, but also to be able to express in his texts the injustice that his people lived.
"His career in agronomy allowed him to travel through his country and learn about other realities, with his love for writing, his desire to tell stories and a response spirit, Gary Víctor transmits to us with his works reflections on social and daily life in his country. Through a satirical vision without forgetting the magic and richness that characterizes its culture "said Thibault de Lucas, Culture Coordinator of the French Alliance.
This writer is a multifaceted character and one of the most influential and most read authors in Haiti, France, Canada and Germany. In addition to writing novels, stories for children, screenplays for cinema and adapting some of his works for theater, he also created a program for radio.
His writing style has a satirical content where he has been able to express reality with a protest speech that has managed to avoid restrictions on freedom of expression.
"My rebellious spirit began when I realized that the reality of my childhood and my adolescence was totally different from what other people lived around my country. I felt the need to tell what was happening. The discourse that made us believe what really happened was very different, "said the writer, adding:
"He did not say anything, but at the same time he said it all".
His first published articles were at the end of the dictatorship, in the years 70 and 80, and it was a personal experience that inspired him to write.
"I was in traffic for two hours without moving or two meters. Suddenly they heard the sirens of the official caravan of Jean Claude Duvalier, former president of Haiti, and I do not understand how the caravan managed to pass without problem by the heavy traffic on the road. All of us who were stuck there for two hours had a lot of frustration and I realized that those who have power can do whatever they want, as if they were gods, "recalled Gary Víctor.
In addition to the authorities of the University and the French Alliance, were present at the event Christian Toussaint, Ambassador of Haiti in Ecuador and Carlo Valery, Haitian Consul in our country.
