As part of the celebration of the 220th anniversary of the creation of the Haitian flag, the Consulate of Haiti in Montreal (QC, Canada) delivered a message to all compatriots that we invite you to read and share.

Message from the Consulate of Haiti in Montreal :

"Dear compatriots, ladies and gentlemen,

This May 18, 2023, bringing back the commemoration of the 220th anniversary of the creation of the national bicolor in Arcahaie by the founding fathers of the Fatherland, Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Alexandre Pétion, symbolizes a crucial stage in the struggle of this fraction of the 'Damned of earth' with a view to their emancipation as free men, respect for their dignity and the conquest of national independence.

Our hearts are filled with joy when we think of the fact that we were the first black nation to raise the standard of freedom in the world at a time when colonialism and slavery were at their height.

Despite the avatars of our life as a people, our bicolor remains, even today, the soul of the nation. Its creation was a major event that galvanized the barefooters to Independence. Indeed, it announced the Battle of Vertières from November 18, 1803 to the Proclamation of National Independence, January 1, 1804.

We can also rejoice in the fact that many Latin American countries display the national colors in their flags in recognition of our contribution to their liberation struggle.

Our two-tone identifies and defines us. It nourishes the sense of belonging in all of us to the beloved homeland. Our soul is so imbued with it that each of us, deep down and sometimes unwittingly, becomes its embodiment and is convinced that he bears the heavy responsibility of proudly and worthily representing the national colors in the outside.

If the mystique of the flag is so strong among us Haitians, it is because it represents the union of an entire people. She had the magic of burying antagonisms, rivalries and fratricidal wars to make way for understanding, collaboration and living together. The first Head of State of the young nation, Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines was so aware of the need to remain welded to each other under pain of falling back into our faults that he made the unity of the Haitian family one of the main points of his government program.

Dear compatriots,

It is high time to wake up from our torpor in order to avoid this corner of earth that we all cherish. more suffering, more setbacks and humiliation. Let's learn to cultivate peace, love, while working for advancement and for individual and collective well-being

The Consulate General of Haiti in Montreal will continue to support the entire population following the instructions of the government, through multiple actions in all areas of its competence in order to promote the interests of the country and bilateral cooperation in the direction of a national revival and an economic take-off likely to bring solutions to the social problems which feed our recurrent political crises.

Long live the Haitian Community in Quebec,

Long live the Haitian-Quebec Cooperation,

Long live the Haitian flag

Long live HAITI"

HL/ HaitiLibre