The beloved Gothic gingerbread landmark that is the historic Hotel Oloffson has, unfortunately, fallen victim to gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The fire destroyed the cherished institution, shaking Haiti’s cultural community to its core. This dynamic city known for its bohemian counterculture was a magnet for artists, thinkers, and politicians from the world over.
For decades, Hotel Oloffson welcomed inspiring figures like Jackie Kennedy Onassis and playwright Tennessee Williams as guests, providing a retreat for the famous. The hotel’s hospitality didn’t stop there, as it would go on to inspire the creation of innumerable literary and artistic masterpieces. Its vibrant atmosphere attracted visitors from Mick Jagger to Haitian presidents, making it a key venue for parties and cultural gatherings.
Riva Précil, a Haitian-American singer who resided at the hotel from ages five to fifteen, fondly recalls her formative years spent there. “I learned to swim, dance, and sing at Hotel Oloffson,” she stated, reflecting on the profound influence the hotel had on her life and career.
Richard Morse, who’s run Hotel Oloffson for almost 30 years, has been directing operations from a distance since the hotel closed its doors in 2022. He reaffirmed this just a few days ago. Morse expressed deep concern for the current state of Haiti, stating, “So many people are dying and being raped and losing everything that I don’t want the focus to be on the hotel.” Even though his own future was cut short, his commitment to the community is rooted in his belief that hope is the essential thread for Haiti’s tomorrow.
Hotel Oloffson has survived all previous coups, dictatorships and the major earthquake of 2010 with impressive fortitude. It recently succumbed to the wave of gang violence that has overwhelmed the region in recent months. Before the crushing fire of April 2019 made headlines around the world, rumors of damage had been swirling for months.
Morse remains optimistic about Haiti’s recovery, stating, “There’s no life without hope, so we have to consider bringing Haiti back and bringing the hotel back and bringing the art and the culture back.” His vision is not just to reopen the hotel but to reopen that rich culture represented by the historic hotel.
The loss of Hotel Oloffson represents something greater than just the loss of a building. It is a testimony to the destruction of a cultural center that lay at the heart of Haiti’s artistic and social identity. The community mourns this loss while holding onto hope for a future where art and culture can once again thrive in Haiti.