Discover Haitian food & culture at Montreal’s Haïti en Folie

The Haïti en Folie Festival is hitting Montreal from July 25 to 31.

“It’s really the event to be if you want to immerse yourself in the Caribbean culture, the Haitian culture, eat great food and see the best of Haitian art,” said Fabienne Colas, who created the festival in 2007, after moving to Montreal from Haiti in 2003.

The Haïti en Folie Festival is a great opportunity for Haitians and non-Haitians to come together and enjoy the best of Haitian culture through music, cinema, food, literature and much more.

“The Haitian community is Quebec’s largest Black community and first immigrant group. I thought it was necessary to create a space where people would come to enjoy the culture, the arts but also get to know the culture better and these Quebecers better. That’s how everything started. I’m from Haiti and there’s so much to discover from the Haitian culture and it’s a great way to foster togetherness,” Colas added.

World-renowned comedian Kako, born Jacques Bourjolly Jr, will be flying in from Haiti to perform at the festival. “Kako” has been in the business of making people laugh for over 20 years.

“The great work that this team is doing. Especially pulling all the good vibes, all the good stuff from Haiti to Canadians, to the rest of the world. It’s my first time as a participant, as a comedian. I’m really looking forward to it. I hope I can step it up,” he said.

Comedian, Koko, born Jacques Bourjolly Jr, will be performing at the festival.

The food is definitely one of the most popular aspects of the festival. There will be a culinary fair in Lafontaine Park.

“Haitian food is known worldwide. It’s really popular, every year. People are coming from all over the world and all over Canada to dive into of course the music, but also the food,” Colas said.

Haïti en Folie runs from July 25 to 31. For the full list of programming, check out haitienfolie.com.