This Friday, January 1, in honor of Haiti's Independence Day, Mary Estimé-Irvin, Councilor for District 3 of the city of North Miami, invites the community to the Virtual Edition of the second annual celebration of the North Miami's "joumou" soup, which will be broadcasted on social media and NoMi TV at 11:00 am this Friday.

"Gathering with family, friends and neighbors is a part of the Haitian Independence Day Celebration that I, and others with Haitian ancestry look forward to each year," said Estimé-Irvin adding "While the COVID-19 pandemic prevents us from gathering to feast in-person, I am very excited to leverage modern technology to share the history, traditions and the recipe tied to this Haitian custom and expression of cultural pride."

In the United States, North Miami is home to one of the largest populations of Haitian descent and of the Diaspora.

Mary Estime-Irvin, recalls "In the present day, Haitians across the globe pridefully reflect on January 1, 1804, as the day their ancestors claimed the Republic of Haiti’s independence from France, making Haiti the first free black republic in the western hemisphere.

On that day, 217 years ago, Haitians residing in the newly freed republic celebrated with a fest of hot soup joumou.

In the same fashion, modern Haitian households, maintain the tradition of gathering as families, friends and neighbors to reflect on this momentous feat, still over a homemade bowl of soup joumou."

For the sake of safety and social distancing, Estimé-Irvin, who is organizing this event, will virtually welcome the community to the 2021 celebration.

HL/ HaitiLibre