Haitian singer Rutshelle Guillaume has been awarded the prestigious Nuits d’Afrique Prize for Francophonie, marking a historic first for a Haitian artist. The award was presented on Monday, following her performance at the 38th edition of the Festival international nuits d’Afrique (FINA) in Montreal. The concert took place on July 21, 2024, at the Quartier des spectacles on the TD stage – Radio Canada.
Rutshelle expressed her gratitude on social media, stating, “I am deeply honored to receive the Nuits d’Afrique de la Francophonie 2024 Artist award. Thank you to the city of Montreal and the Nuits d’Afrique international festival committee for this prestigious distinction and for your unwavering support for music of the world.”
The Nuits d’Afrique Prize for Francophonie is awarded annually to “an artist with international influence, who embodies a unifying vision of the Francophonie and the diversity of cultural expressions within the international Francophone space,” according to a press release from the festival.
Rutshelle added, “This award is a celebration of the richness of the Francophonie and the power of music to unite people. Let’s continue to celebrate cultural diversity together.” She also extended her gratitude to her family, friends, collaborators, and fans, acknowledging their support as the driving force behind her creativity and passion.
The 38th edition of the Festival international nuits d’Afrique featured nearly a hundred artists from around thirty countries, celebrating African, Caribbean, and Latin music. Founded in 1987 by Lamine Touré, the festival is held annually in July in Montreal’s Quartier des spectacles.
With this honor, Rutshelle Guillaume joins a distinguished list of artists such as Manu Dibango, Salif Keita, and Angélique Kidjo, who have also been recognized for their contributions to the Francophonie and cultural diversity.
This year’s festival also saw performances by two other Haitian artists, Jean Jean Roosevelt and Modeline Raymond, further highlighting the rich tapestry of Haitian music. The Festival International Nuits d’Afrique has previously hosted renowned musicians and groups, including Tiken Jah Fakoly, Femi Kuti, Tifane, BIC, Corneille, Amadou et Mariam, King Sunny Ade, Youssou N’Dour, Alpha Blondy, Tété, Kassav, Chico Trujillo, Naâman, Daymé Arocena, Emel Mathlouthi, Tabou Combo, Thomas Mapfumo, Habib Koité, Baaba Maal, Lokua Kanza, and Salif Keita.
