About this event
On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake changed Renette Désir’s life forever. As Port-au-Prince was plunged into chaos, the young student found herself trapped beneath the rubble of her collapsed university. She was rescued only the following day. The friend who was beside her did not survive. From this traumatic experience emerged a powerful message of hope, resilience, and solidarity that continues to resonate through her music today. Shortly after the earthquake, Haiti’s Ministry of Culture invited her to perform a song in memory of the many victims of the disaster. Together with renowned composer Pierre Rigaud Chéry, she recorded Yon Ti Chante, one of the first songs created in the aftermath of the tragedy. The song became a symbol of a nation determined to rise again despite grief and loss. Today, Renette Désir is recognized as one of Haiti’s most authentic and captivating voices. Born in Port-au-Prince into a family where music played a central role, she grew up immersed in the rhythms of compas, rara, mizik rasin, and Haiti’s rich folk traditions. Drawing on these influences, she has developed a unique artistic universe where heritage and contemporary creativity meet. With her warm voice, infectious energy, and natural stage presence, she takes audiences on a journey to the heart of Haitian culture. Music, songs, storytelling, dance, and playful Creole wordplay come together in a vibrant, interactive performance filled with emotion, connection, and joy. Having recently settled in Belgium, Renette now shares her cultural heritage with new audiences across Europe. For this special performance, she appears in duo with Rodriguez Vangama. A Congolese guitarist renowned for his virtuosity and deep connection to the rich musical traditions of Central Africa, he brings elegance, depth, and outstanding musicianship to the stage. Together, they weave the sounds of Haiti and Congo into a warm, festive, and deeply human musical encounter. CIUNCIL CHAMBER - IXELLES TOWN HALL We find ourselves in the political heart of the municipality of Ixelles. Located on Place Fernand Cocq, the Malibran Pavilion is home to one of the finest heritage interiors designed by architect Jules Brunfaut. The building is decorated in a Neo-Renaissance style, featuring dark wooden panelling, soaring pilasters crowned with gilded capitals, and richly ornamented pediments. Today, these decorative elements provide the setting for one of the town hall’s most important functions: political decision-making. Yet the building was not always a place of governance and debate. It was built in 1832 as a country residence for the Spanish soprano Maria Malibran and her husband. For fifteen years, the world-famous singer regularly stayed in Brussels during her travels. Where political discussions take place today, opera melodies and violin music once echoed through the pavilion’s halls. Following Malibran’s death in the mid-nineteenth century, the property was sold to the municipality. The extensive gardens surrounding the residence were opened to the public and eventually became today’s Place Fernand Cocq. Maria Malibran’s musical legacy, however, still lives on. Visitors entering the town hall can still see her original piano. During the Hide & Seek Festival, music returns to its historic home as the council chamber is temporarily transformed into a concert venue for Haitian-Belgian musician Renette Désir, filling the Malibran Pavilion once again with sounds that recall its original purpose.
