Up Close and Personal with Dany Laferrière

Posted on: 26/01/2011

Up Close and Personal with Dany Laferrière

Gatineau, Quebec, January 25, 2010 — As a part of the Civilization Lecture Series, the Canadian Museum of Civilization invites you to a special evening with the Haitian and Canadian novelist and scriptwriter, Dany Laferrière.

Born in Port-au-Prince in April, 1953, Dany Laferrière grew in up in the village of Petit Goave. He wrote for the newspaper Le Petit Samedi Soir and was a member of the team of Radio Haiti. He left his native country following the murder of a colleague and a friend. He then settled in Quebec in 1976 and occupied several jobs before beginning to write.

His first novel, How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired, was written in 1985. The success of the book was immediate and the reactions numerous. Laferrière was subsequently considered one of the main representatives of a new generation of writers on the Quebec literary scene.

This unconventional and controversial author has written extensively about life under the nightmarish dictatorship that repressed Haiti for decades. Many of Laferrière’s books are autobiographical, describing his move to Montreal in 1976, and his adaptation to a new country and a new culture. He has produced novels satirizing North American sexual attitudes, while also examining relationships between the races.

During the evening, Dany Laferrière will discuss his work, his inspiration and his hopes for his Haitian homeland.

Civilization Lecture Series
An Evening with Dany Laferrière
Thursday, February 3
 7 p.m. (French)
Theatre

Dany Laferrière, an award-winning author of twelve novels, grew up amidst the hardships of his native country. He fled the repression of the Duvalier regime and survived the recent devastating earthquake in January 2010. This promises to be an eye-opening and thought-provoking event. Tickets: $15; $12 members and students in advance. Tickets available at the Museum Box Office, or by calling 819 776-7000 (service charges apply).

Throughout the years and the books, Dany Laferrière received several prizes and distinctions. In February, he will be made an officer de La Pléiade, ordre de la Francophonie et du dialogue des cultures. This distinction, created in 1976, recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves by serving the ideals of the parliamentary Assembly of the Francophony, most notably in matters of cooperation, solidarity and democracy.

Media Information:

Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7167

Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: 819 776-7169

Fax: 819 776-7187