The return of writer and academic Dany Laferrière to his hometown of Petit-Goâve on Sunday, July 19, 2026, took place in a popular atmosphere. Organized by the State University of Haiti (UEH), the Petit-Goâve City Hall, the NarAction Haiti Association, and several cultural figures in the city, the day brought together young people, artists, dignitaries, and residents to pay tribute to one of their own.

Upon his arrival, Dany Laferrière visited his childhood home, accompanied by Johanne Siclait, the Mayor of Petit-Goâve, before meeting up with some longtime friends. This homecoming preceded a major talk held at the Fort Royal Hotel on the theme "Flowers to Drown the Immortal".

Speaking on behalf of Dieuseul Prédélus, Rector of the State University of Haiti, Professor Darline Alexis, President of the UEH Commission responsible for organizing Dany Laferrière's tour, emphasized the symbolic significance of this stop in Petit-Goâve. This visit reflects the University's commitment to bringing young people closer to literature and creating spaces for dialogue between leading Haitian intellectuals and new generations. This is especially important given the deep connection between Dany Laferrière's work and his childhood in Petit-Goâve, a significant source of his literary inspiration.

A highlight of the day was when the academic was literally swept up in the affection of his city's youth. To the rhythm of enthusiastic applause, the young people placed him at the center of a huge circle before showering him with flowers: a scene as festive as it was symbolic, which deeply moved those present. Smiles and expressions of affection reflected the joy of a community proudly reunited with "their Dany".

An exhibition of books and paintings by local talents was held. Honorary plaques, bouquets of flowers, mangoes, and other local fruits were presented to Dany as tokens of appreciation. The audience particularly enjoyed the fashion show featuring a dress made from newspaper clippings that chronicled decades of his career, while the writer himself donned a jacket specially designed for him by a young designer from Petit-Goâve.

The discussions with Dany focused on his life story, his relationship with writing, memory, and childhood. With his characteristic simplicity and humor, Dany engaged in a question-and-answer session with young and old alike, encouraging them to read more, to write, and to cultivate their intellectual curiosity. Beyond the tribute paid to the academician, this day marks the exceptional encounter between a universal writer and his hometown. By reconnecting with the places of his childhood and youth in Petit-Goâve, Laferrière reaffirmed the power of literature as a space for memory, transmission, and hope. This is a conviction that the State University of Haiti will continue to uphold through initiatives of this kind.

IH/ iciHaiti