Friday at the National Palace, the President Martelly, accompanied by his wife, the First Lady Sophia Martelly, in the presence of Josette Darguste, Ministers of Culture, Stéphanie Balmir Villedrouin, Minister of Tourism, various other members of the government and several musicians, wished to formally pay tribute to four Haitian personalities that he qualifies of "powerful and highly creative artists" and salute their works in the fields of music, of community development, of the literature they are the artist Rodrigue Millien, the musician Raoul Guillaume, Father Jean Antoine Occide (Father Sicot) and the storyteller Mimi Barthélémy (whose real name is Michele Armand, died April 27 2013).

"Today I honor four personalities that I'm proud to give as example to the Nation. Thus, I propose to youth of models to which they can profitably refer. I am sure that future generations will be able to be inspired of citizen behavior they have shown in their lives to bring a valuable stone to the construction of this Haiti of progress that I intends establish," declared the Head of State, adding "When the decoration is awarded to a personality, by the latter we recognized outstanding services rendered by the personality to the community. I have the pleasure today to honor of creators who are dedicated to enriching the national culture with works that have contributed to expand our various forms of expressions and actions."

Father Antoine Jean Occide, sociologist and ethnologist, was decorated with the National Order of Honor and Merit to the Grade of Grand Officer for his contribution to community development. "Excellency, honest men, serious and lucid see by your actions, your determination to extinguish the fire with fire. In fact, you are currently, through your social works, your highly humanitarian actions, extinguish the fire of hate with the fire of love..." declared Father Sicot.

Mr. Raoul Guillaume, first composer of Christmas songs and great Mapou of the Haitian music, was decorated with the National Order of Honor and Merit to the Grade of Knight for his consistency on the music scene. Mr. Raymond Guillaume spoke on behalf of his older brother Raoul Guillaume.

Rodrigue Millien for his contribution to the development of music, was decorated with the National Order of Honor and Merit to the Grade of Knight, the artist has 28 albums to his credit, after having received his decoration, with the President Martelly has made ​​a short musical performance recalling the good times between the two artists.

Dr. Didier Armand received the award posthumously for the storyteller Mimi Barthélémy [Michele Armand]. She is ecorated with the National Order of Honor and Merit to the Grade of Knight for her talents as a storyteller and for all her work.

Also that same day, the President Matelly inaugurated the renovation work of "Studio I" of the Haiti National Television baptized "Studio Rodrigue Millien" in tribute to an incomparable musician, considered as one of the most worthy representatives of the national kind "Troubadour" commented the Head of State who believes "that by his fabulous course that marked generations of music lovers, Mr. Millien deserves this attention, which will also contribute to encourage young artists to work harder."

HL/ HaitiLibre