Overview:
The Northeast Division of Haiti commemorated the 218th anniversary of Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ demise with a collection of instructional and cultural occasions, emphasizing his legacy and Haiti’s enduring challenges.
FORT-LIBERTE — In Haiti’s northeast area, this 12 months’s commemoration of the 218th anniversary of Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ demise took on recent significance, as cultural and humanitarian actions changed conventional ceremonies, echoing the revolutionary chief’s mannequin of motion. Regardless of fears of unrest and potential violence, college students, neighborhood members, and native organizations marked the day with a renewed deal with discussing Haiti’s present challenges.
All through Ouanaminthe, varied teams held discussions on Dessalines’ life, engaged in reforestation initiatives, and shared plans on humanitarian help to Haitian migrants not too long ago coming back from the Dominican Republic to the area. These efforts not solely celebrated and honored Dessalines but additionally addressed the urgent points dealing with the nation, equivalent to the continued migration disaster and environmental degradation.
On Oct. 17, At René Théodore Excessive College, college students led a “studying with out telephones” occasion, emphasizing the significance of understanding Dessalines’ concepts by way of literature.
“We mark this historic day by studying to know Dessalines’ legacy,” mentioned Delmy Germanson, a professor and author concerned within the initiative. “Via studying about our previous, as we speak’s youth can admire our identification as a free Black nation.”
In one other occasion, scholar Judith Rrevilus from Collège Espoir Chrétien in Ouanaminthe spoke passionately concerning the want for unity in her speech through the cultural actions put collectively to commemorate the Emperor’s demise.
“In honoring Dessalines’ reminiscence, we renew our dedication to the beliefs for which he gave his life. His legacy continues to information us as we construct a united, sturdy, and affluent nation.”
Native artists additionally contributed to the day’s significance, performing conventional music and dance to make sure that the legacy of Haiti’s founding father resonates with future generations.
Remembering Dessalines on the website of the Bloodbath River
Whereas the town’s streets have been stuffed with power and objective, the commemoration occasions additionally carried a tone of reflection. It took on extra significance on the Bloodbath River, a website symbolizing each previous struggles and ongoing challenges for the Haitian folks. After confronting vital political tensions over the development of a canal on the river, peasants and native leaders gathered to mirror on Dessalines’ legacy in gentle of their present struggles.
“At the moment’s battle is just not a coincidence,” mentioned a farmer from the Maribaroux Plain. “It’s Dessalines who modeled for us how one can come collectively to maneuver ahead. We rejoice all he did in order that we are able to proceed our journey.”
Nonetheless, the environment in Ouanaminthe additionally mirrored the strain and uncertainty gripping Haiti. Rumors of anti-government protests prompted native authorities to cancel the standard Tedeum ceremony at Notre Dame de l’Assomption Church. Fears of violence and clashes between demonstrators and police pressured the choice, disappointing many who had arrived for the service.
“We got here to the Tedeum service, however once we noticed nothing was occurring on the church, our director gathered us and informed us to go house,” mentioned a scholar from Capois Excessive College.
The mayor of Ouanaminthe, Luma Demetrius, defined the rationale behind the choice. “There have been rumors of demonstrations within the metropolis, and to keep away from casualties, we canceled the commemorations this 12 months.”
Fort-Liberté retains up with the custom and honors Dessalines with Solemn Te Deum
On the identical day, only a brief distance away, within the metropolis of Fort-Liberté, the commemorations unfolded extra historically, with a solemn Te Deum service at Saint-Joseph Cathedral, bringing collectively officers and neighborhood members in a second of unity and reflection.
“We mark this historic day by studying to know Dessalines’ legacy by way of studying about our previous, as we speak’s youth can admire our identification as a free Black nation.”
Delmy Germanson, professor and author.
The cathedral was stuffed with hymns and prayers, fostering a spirit of reflection on the values Dessalines stood for—braveness, unity, and sacrifice.
“Within the identify of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, I name for a local weather of peace and solidarity that can enable us to reunite and rejoice our ‘Pearl of the Antilles,’” urged Louis Jacques Étienne, the mayor of Fort-Liberté, throughout his handle.
College students from native colleges participated enthusiastically, their voices merging with these in prayer and music, creating an environment of reverence—particularly essential given the continued challenges of insecurity and up to date deportations affecting Haiti.
Dessalines, Haiti’s founding father and first emperor, performed an important function within the nation’s freedom.
Father Ernest Angrand, the principle celebrant, delivered a heartfelt homily highlighting Dessalines’ vital function in Haiti’s wrestle for independence.
“Dessalines symbolizes the braveness and dedication that stems from love for the nation. His dedication to Haiti’s freedom ought to encourage us to try for a united and affluent future,” Father Angrand mentioned in entrance of the enthusiastic crowd.
