Vivianne Gauthier, icon of traditional Haitian dance passed away at 99. At the age of 19, after completing her studies, despite the reluctance of her parents, she stand up and gave free rein to her passion which was dance, passion dating from his childhood.

From 1938 to 1948, Vivianne Gauthier was a teacher at the Sisters of Wisdom. She left teaching to the state enterprise Haitian state lottery (LEH), she spent 21 years in the institution, devoting her afternoons to dancing.

In 1950, she founded the dance school Vivianne Gauthier. In 1971 her talent became known on European soil.

The Head of State, Jovenel Moïse salutes a passionate, meticulous dancer, with more than 60 years of career; A major teacher who has devoted much of her life to accompanying generations of Haitian dancers in her school, which bears her name: École de danse Vivianne Gauthier. It is now up to all these young dancers to perpetuate the memory of this great lady of Haitian culture.

"I salute the departure of Vivianne Gauthier, the icon of the dance, at the age of 99. Sympathy to her family, friends and the cultural community," declared resident Jovenel Moïse.

Vivianne Gauthier, whose vivacity and know-how remain a model to follow, has never ceased, despite her age, to participate with remarkable tenacity in the formation of youth and the promotion of traditional dance in particular and the Haitian culture in general.

It was with great sadness that the Prime Minister, Mr. Jack Guy Lafontant, learned of the disappearance of the dancer and teacher Vivianne Gauthier, at the age of 99 years. "She will have marked the history of Haitian dance, and for 67 years she has trained generations of dancers in the country. She instilled in them, in addition to her love of dance, techniques allowing them to explore and create new styles, new choreographic forms. Vivianne Gauthier was an icon of traditional Haitian dances, whose, all her life, she made the promotion, , through her shows, on local and international stages. For a long time, her school had been the only school in the country where traditional dances were taught. With the disappearance of Vivianne Gauthier, the country has lost one of its greatest daughters. While saluting the departure of this figurehead of the dance, Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant expresses his condolences to her relatives, her troop and all her collaborators."

For her part, the Ministry for Women's Affairs and Women's Rights "salute the departure of a great lady, the dean of traditional Haitian dance, Mrs. Vivianne Gauthier, a passionate artist who has been able to mark Haitian dance, train generations of young women and young men by transmitting to them her passion and knowledge. Minister Eunide Innocent, joins to all the staff of the Ministry for Women's Affairs and Women's Rights, to address her sympathies to her family, friends and students. Rest in peace Vivianne !"

HL/ HaitiLibre