Photos: The Carnival of Flowers

Posted Jul 31, 2012

The carnival of flowers, a three-day festival, marks new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a parade, concerts and street dancing in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Some critics have questioned the wisdom of spending about $1.6 million on the event. The government countered saying the celebration boosts morale and provides jobs.(AP)

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A woman parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. The carnival, a three-day festival, marks new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. Some critics have questioned the wisdom of spending about $1.6 million on the event. The government countered saying the celebration boosts morale and provides jobs. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A reveler covered in body paint takes part in Carnaval des Fleurs or Carnival of Flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. The carnival, a three-day festival, marks new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. Some critics have questioned the wisdom of spending about $1.6 million on the event. The government countered saying the celebration boosts morale and provides jobs. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Miryam Julien, 17, parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. The carnival, a three-day festival, marks new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. Some critics have questioned the wisdom of spending about $1.6 million on the event. The government countered saying the celebration boosts morale and provides jobs. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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People parade during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. The carnival, a three-day festival, marks new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. Some critics have questioned the wisdom of spending about $1.6 million on the event. The government countered saying the celebration boosts morale and provides jobs. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Two women pose for pictures during the Carnaval des Fleurs or Carnival of Flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. The carnival, a three-day festival, marks new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. Some critics have questioned the wisdom of spending about $1.6 million on the event. The government countered saying the celebration boosts morale and provides jobs. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man carrying snakes around his head parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A woman parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A woman parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A woman parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A woman parades during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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People parade during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man performs during a Sunday parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Queen Margherita, Immaculene Carmelo, 22, smiles during a Sunday parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A Queen, center, gestures during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man, on stilts, walks during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Haiti's President Michel Martelly, center, dances during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Girls dances during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man wears a mask of a peacock while he passes in front of the damaged national palace during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man is seen as a silhouette while wears a butterfly-like wings during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Girls pose for a picture during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man performs during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man carries two snakes around his head during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery.
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A man wears a mask of a rooster while he walks during a parade in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, July 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Haiti's President Michel Martelly dances at the end of the presentation ceremony for the Carnaval des Fleur queens, pictured behind him, at the national palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, July 27, 2012. The carnival, a three-day celebration, will mark new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Queen of the Sun, Carene Vertus, 20, poses for a photo during a presentation ceremony of the Carnaval des Fleurs queens at the national palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, July 27, 2012. The carnival, a three-day celebration, will mark new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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Queen of Miami, Rachelle Chatelier, smiles as she arrives for a presentation ceremony of the Carnaval des Fleurs queens at the national palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, July 27, 2012. The carnival, a three-day celebration, will mark new beginnings and the revitalization of Haiti with a Sunday parade, concerts and street dancing. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A man rides a bike past the national palace, damaged by the January 2010 earthquake, during a parade of carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A boy is carried on shoulders during a parade of carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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A couple poses for a picture while attending a parade during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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People parade during carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)
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People pose for pictures during a parade of carnival of flowers in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday July 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery)