Taking a tour of Miami-Dade County’s premier historical museum just got easier for Haitian Creole speakers. On Thursday, May 31, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2, unveiled a new audio tour of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, 3251 South Miami Avenue, in Haitian Creole, French and Portuguese. The audio tour was first introduced a year ago in English and Spanish.

"With the largest population of Haitian Americans in the country living in South Florida, it was natural for the Museum to select Creole as the third audio tour language", museum officials said. "The Creole version appears to be the first comprehensive, professionally produced audio tour in this language at a U. S. museum," said Vizcaya Executive Director Joel Hoffman. Audio tours in Portuguese and French also reflect the ever-increasing international visitors to Miami-Dade County’s most popular visual arts museum.

"The launch of the audio tour in three additional languages, including Haitian Creole, highlights Miami-Dade County’s commitment to celebrating the cultural diversity of our community," said Monestime. Commissioner Monestime is the first Haitian American elected to the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.

"Haitian Americans have long enjoyed the many historical venues of Miami-Dade County [...] the expansion of Vizcaya’s audio tour program will ensure that one of Miami-Dade County’s signature historical landmarks remains accessible to one of the fastest-growing minority groups in South Florida" added Monestime.

The audio tour features 90 minutes of content and guides visitors through the main spaces and primary ideas associated with Vizcaya at their own pace. Visitors gain an in-depth understanding of individual objects while exploring themes such as cultural exchange, design and patronage, and work and leisure.

(l-r) Commissioner Jean Monestime takes a tour of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens on May 31, 2012, with Vizcaya Executive Director Joel Hoffman, Vizcaya Board Member Mirielle Chancy-Gonzalez, and Radio Mega host Maite Saint Surin.

HL/ HaitiLibre