Rex Theater, Art Deco theater in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
The Rex Theater is located on Rue Capois next to the French Embassy with an Art Deco design from the 1930s that originally seated around 1,200 people. The building displays decorative details typical of that era, with distinct architectural features visible both outside and within.
The theater opened in October 1935 under the direction of Daniel Brun with screenings of international films. Over the following decades, it became an important venue for artistic and cultural events in the city.
The venue served as a gathering place for artistic performances and attracted musicians and speakers from around the world. It shaped the city's cultural identity and demonstrated how a single building could draw people together across borders.
The building retains its original layout and features from the 1930s, though regular maintenance has been necessary over time. Visitors should be aware that the structure has endured natural disasters in recent decades, which have left marks on its condition.
French poet André Breton delivered a lecture at the venue in 1945 and refused to shake hands with the president, creating a moment of political tension. This gesture became a memorable part of the building's story and showed how the space could become a setting for important social statements.
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