Jean-Germain Gros

African drums and dance, lessons in the Creole language, and a presentation on the history and rich culture of the Caribbean nation of Haiti will mark the 13th annual Multicultural Awareness Day at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 28 in Century Rooms A and B at the Millennium Student Center on UMSL’s north campus, One University Blvd. St. Louis, Mo. 63121.

It is estimated that more than 270,000 people died in the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti Jan. 12 and in the days following. The island’s inadequate infrastructure and buildings in and around the capital of Port-au-Prince collapsed leaving survivors without food, water, shelter or services. It is estimated that recovery will take billions of dollars and years, even decades, to complete.

Dr. Jean-Germain Gros, a native Haitian and associate professor of political science at UMSL, will discuss the Haitian culture and its history. Denise Mussman, associate teaching professor of foreign languages and literatures at UMSL, will give lessons in the Haitian Creole language, spoken by about 80 percent of the people of Haiti. And Mama Lisa Gage of Fundisha Enterprises, along with her husband, Georges Auguste, a Haitian native, will delight audiences with African music and dance.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information visit: http://www.umsl.edu/~mcraa/ or call 314-516-6807.