Relive ART THERAPY, SLAM, AND SOUPE JOUMOU | BHN2025

In an atmosphere filled with emotion, pride, and reflection, Vision Interculture marked Black History Month with an artistic and therapeutic initiative of great depth. The event, centered on art therapy, brought together various participants around a common goal: to celebrate the contribution of Black communities to society while exploring art as a tool for healing and identity expression.

For the organizers, linking art therapy to Black History Month was a natural fit. The history of Black people, marked by struggle, discrimination, and oppression, finds in artistic expression a form of rebirth. “Art therapy is a way to rewrite our story, to heal trauma, and to transform pain into creation,” emphasized one speaker.

This inclusive approach allowed everyone, regardless of origin, to share and learn from each other’s experiences. Several participants stressed the importance of listening to these experiences in order to become, beyond the commemorative month, better allies in everyday life.

The conference also shed light on a subject often left unspoken: mental health within Black communities. By offering a space for free expression, art therapy helps break the silence surrounding this taboo. “In some cultures, seeking therapy is seen as a sign of weakness. Through art, we externalize what weighs on us—we heal differently,” explained a participant, praising the relevance of the activity.

The event was also marked by moments of conviviality and cultural exchange. The tasting of soupe joumou—the emblematic dish of Haitian freedom—was particularly appreciated, as were the slam poetry workshops led by Emmanuel Hippolyte. “I wrote my first slam today!” confessed one enthusiastic participant, visibly inspired by the experience.

Poetry, music, and spoken word were celebrated as powerful tools of resistance and identity affirmation. “From blues to hip-hop, the Black voice has always found refuge in art,” recalled a speaker. The event encouraged young people to carry on this tradition of expression, to transform their experiences into creations, and to make their stories resonate.

Through the testimonies, one strong idea emerged: art, in all its forms, is a universal language capable of healing, uniting, and transmitting memory. Thanks to Vision Interculture and the participation of the City of Longueuil, this celebration of Black History Month became a true tribute to the resilience, creativity, and pride of Black communities.

“Thank you to the city of my heart for giving meaning to my skin,” concluded a poet, to the applause of an emotional audience—reminding everyone that history, whether written or sung, remains above all an act of memory and love.