Overview:
Fort-Liberté’s K-Navaval set a new standard for regional Carnival celebrations, drawing millions into the streets with dazzling costumes, pulsating rhythms, and an electrifying atmosphere. From March 2–4, the festivities highlighted the city’s cultural dexterity and organizational prowess, proving that the Northeast region can stage a world-class event without relying on Port-au-Prince.
FORT-LIBERTÉ—For three unforgettable days, Fort-Liberté transformed into a vibrant canvas of sound and color as it hosted its largest-ever carnival, rebranded this year as K-Navaval. From March 2 to 4, millions flooded the streets to experience a breathtaking display of handcrafted masks, towering floats, and energetic rara bands. Beyond the festive spectacle, the event carried a strong message of social justice, addressing issues like violence against women and children while promoting sustainability and inclusion. With meticulous planning and robust security measures ensuring a safe celebration, Mayor Louis Jacque Junior Etienne emphasized that this record-breaking carnival proves the Northeast region’s unique cultural strength and independent spirit.
A display of photos that capture the energy, artistry, and spirit of the three-day carnival festivities in Fort-Liberté
The King and Queen of the Fort-Liberté's 2025 Carnival were featured on the third day of carnival festivities on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
The King and Queen of the Fort-Liberté’s 2025 Carnival were featured on the third day of carnival festivities on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A depiction of Jean-Jacques Dessalines on horseback, holding the Haitian bicolor, was featured as one of the Rochambeau group's performances during Fort-Liberté's K-Navaval 2025 carnival festivities on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A depiction of Jean-Jacques Dessalines on horseback, holding the Haitian bicolor, was featured as one of the Rochambeau group’s performances during Fort-Liberté’s K-Navaval 2025 carnival festivities on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
Two masqueraders bring the legendary “Jambe de Bois” to life, honoring the traditional Mardigras figure long celebrated in Haiti during Fort-Liberté's K-Navaval 2025 carnival festivities on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
Two masqueraders bring the legendary “Jambe de Bois” to life, honoring the traditional Mardigras figure long celebrated in Haiti during Fort-Liberté’s K-Navaval 2025 carnival festivities on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
The Rochambeau group staging an old-time scene featuring a queen accompanied by her child is secured by two slaves at the Fort-Liberté Mardi Gras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times
The Rochambeau group staging an old-time scene featuring a queen accompanied by her child is secured by two slaves at the Fort-Liberté Mardi Gras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times
Fort-Liberté.The Rochambeau group displayed a time-honored tradition of transporting people and goods to Fort-Liberté. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times
Fort-Liberté.The Rochambeau group displayed a time-honored tradition of transporting people and goods to Fort-Liberté. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times
A masquerader from the Rochambeau group, dressed in a burlap handmade dress and carrying a locally made handicraft decor, entertained the crowd during the 3rd day of the Fort-Liberté carnival festivities. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A masquerader from the Rochambeau group, dressed in a burlap handmade dress and carrying a locally made handicraft decor, entertained the crowd during the 3rd day of the Fort-Liberté carnival festivities. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A reenactment of a scene with Catherine Flon sewing the Haitian bicolor flag on a donkey cart at the Fort-Liberté Mardi 20250304_172631.jpgGras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A reenactment of a scene with Catherine Flon sewing the Haitian bicolor flag on a donkey cart at the Fort-Liberté Mardi 20250304_172631.jpgGras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A young woman wearing a straw hat puffs smoke from a cigar held between her lips, dressed in a handi crafts dress at the Fort-Liberté Mardi Gras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times, March 2, 2025.
A young woman wearing a straw hat puffs smoke from a cigar held between her lips, dressed in a handi crafts dress at the Fort-Liberté Mardi Gras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times, March 2, 2025.
A Mardi Gras street performer donning a straw hat and traditional handicrafts entertained the crowd at the Fort-Liberté carnival parade on March 4, 2025. Photo taken by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A Mardi Gras street performer donning a straw hat and traditional handicrafts entertained the crowd at the Fort-Liberté carnival parade on March 4, 2025. Photo taken by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
Revelers have shown a lot of artistic creativity during the Fort-Liberté carnival festivities, as seen on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
Revelers have shown a lot of artistic creativity during the Fort-Liberté carnival festivities, as seen on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A group in Fort-Liberté performed a taboo "Levè dè mò," Creole for “resurrect the dead” on March 2, 2025 during the Fort-Liberté first-day carnival festivities. photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
A group in Fort-Liberté performed a taboo “Levè dè mò,” Creole for “resurrect the dead” on March 2, 2025 during the Fort-Liberté first-day carnival festivities. photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times.
The Rochambeau group staging an old-time scene featuring a queen accompanied by her child is secured by two slaves at the Fort-Liberté Mardi Gras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times
The Rochambeau group staging an old-time scene featuring a queen accompanied by her child is secured by two slaves at the Fort-Liberté Mardi Gras parade on March 4, 2025. Photo by Edxon Francisque for The Haitian Times