Happening today: Celebrate Haitian Heritage Month in Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando’s third annual Haitian Heritage Month Celebration gets underway on Thursday.

Party attendees can learn more about Haitian culture through music, art and food at the event, which starts at 6:30 p.m.

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The first two events were virtual, because of the pandemic. So this year will be the first time things will be in-person at the UCF Downtown campus.

“I’m excited for everyone to see what we have put together. We have a historian coming to go over what beautiful history of us is,” said Loudwine Norcilus with the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event.

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Norcilus said when most Central Floridians think of Haiti they envision a hurricane and earthquake-ravaged island nation in the Caribbean. The event is designed to change that perception.

“I would say, if 1% is having a problem, the rest of the 99% of the country is fine, then let’s go visit that. Let’s learn about that,” Norcilus said.

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She said it’s also an opportunity to highlight all the Haitian businesses thriving here in Central Florida.

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