Returning to a time when arts flourished as an asset in Haiti, there was the Rex Theater. Established in 1935 by Albert Silvera, a business tycoon who saw the potential of the entertainment industry in Haiti. Silvera, who was of Lebanese descent, came from a family that was heavily engaged in the business sector. With a vision was to create a venue that would not solely feature films but also host a variety of cultural events.
The Rex Theater quickly became known as a premier location of entertainment in Haiti: films from Hollywood, and the French film industry, catering to the diverse tastes of the Haitian audience. The theater also hosted concerts, plays, and other cultural events, making it a vital part of Port-au-Prince’s culture, led by Daniel Brun and it was managed by Mrs. Muffat Taldy until 1951.
Two decades prior the renowned Marian Anderson graced its stage with various performances. Marian Anderson was an acclaimed African-American contralto, one of the most celebrated singers of the twentieth century. Anderson was best known from the performance at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939, which was organized as a response to being denied the opportunity to perform at Constitution Hall because of Anderson’s race. Anderson’s talent and courage broke barriers in the world of classical music.
The theater with the capacity to accommodate up to 12,000 people, was particularly fitting given Anderson’s previous experience with lack of racial diversity. Performing in Haiti, a country that had its own history with racial subject and has a Black the population occupying the majority was profoundly significant. This highlighted the theater’s dedication to providing a platform to artists regardless of their race or ethnicity. A defiant response to the racially discriminatory practices by Haiti’s semi-neighboring country, the United States.
Over the years it has faced numerous standstills, including political upheaval and natural disasters in 2010. Despite these challenges, in the mind of the country, the theater has remained a symbol of cultural pride to the Haitian people, as a significant cultural landmark in Haiti.
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