Brentwood Library hosts Haitian celebration

Brentwood Library is hosting a Haitian Flag Day celebration Sunday at 2 p.m. that will feature traditional Haitian dances by a professional troupe.

“Haitian Flag Day is to remind people that we are here and we are proud,” said Sherley Davilmar, who was born in Haiti and serves as the artistic director of La Troupe Zetwal, the Brooklyn-based dance group that will perform at the event. “I hope the audience gets the history behind the dances and understands that the dances tell a story about our past.”

The group, which will showcase several Haitian folk dances with live drumming, has performed at the library in celebration of Haitian Flag Day for about three years, Davilmar said. Sunday’s performance will include dances about slavery, religion, war and the island nation’s fight for independence.

Organizers hope the day will be a reminder to local Haitians that the community supports them, said Edana Cichanowicz, Brentwood Library’s head of reference and adult services.

“It should just be a wonderful day for everyone,” she said. “We have a lot to celebrate this year in that people survived the earthquake and they are back.”