Haiti’s national Carnival celebration was cancelled in 2022 for the second consecutive year, with the security situation making the large public gatherings that define Kanaval impossible to organize safely. The cancellation of one of Haiti’s most beloved cultural traditions was mourned by artists, vendors, and communities that depended on the celebration for cultural expression, economic activity, and the collective joy that Carnival had always provided even in difficult times.
Carnival had survived earthquake, hurricane, cholera, and political crisis over the years, always finding a way to persist as an expression of Haitian cultural resilience. The security situation in 2022 was different: gang control of significant portions of Port-au-Prince made the movement of large crowds through the city impossible without exposing participants to genuine risk of violence. The logistics of ensuring safety for Carnival-scale gatherings were simply beyond the capacity of the security forces available.
Artists who had been preparing Carnival music and performances for months expressed frustration at the cancellation and concern for the economic impact on the entertainers, costume makers, food vendors, and hospitality workers who depended on the celebration for significant annual income. Carnival was not just a cultural event but an economic one, generating revenue that sustained creative and service sector workers through the quieter months of the year.
Cultural advocates called for specific support for artists and cultural workers who had lost income due to the cancellation, arguing that Haiti’s cultural life was a national asset that deserved protection and support even in — especially in — times of crisis. They warned that the cumulative impact of multiple cancelled Carnivals and cultural events was contributing to an erosion of the cultural economy that would take years to rebuild.