The Embassy of Haiti in France had the pleasure of recently participating in the unveiling ceremony of a plaque commemorating the independence of Haiti, proclaimed on January 1st, 1804, in the town of Saint-Junien, located in the department of Haute-Vienne, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.

Thanks to the initiative of the "Foutez-nous la Paix" Festival and the commitment of the municipal team, Saint-Junien becomes the first city in France to install such a commemorative plaque. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Ambassador of Haiti Louino Volcy, the mayor of Saint-Junien, Hervé Beaudet, as well as personalities from the cultural and academic world, notably the writer Lyonel Trouillot and the geographer Jean-Marie Théodat.

While condemning slavery, Mayor Beaudet recalled the courage of Dessalines and the indigenous army who led Haiti to independence against French troops. He signified that his city of Saint-Junien, a place of social and anti-colonial struggles, could not forget this uprising, this moment so precious for all the people of the world.

During his speech for the occasion, Ambassador Volcy declared that, with this gesture, the city of Saint-Junien "pays tribute to these men and women who, at the risk of their lives, fought slavery, dared to be free and founded the first independent black Republic in the world". Still according to him, "this historic gesture by the city of Saint-Junien is a recognition of the importance of the history of Haiti."

This demonination of public roads constitutes a highly symbolic act, a strong signal and a memorial bridge drawn between Saint-Junien and Haiti.

IH/ iciHaiti