This Monday, October 17, 2011, on the occasion of the ceremonies of Commemoration of the 205th anniversary of the death of the Founding Father of the Fatherland, the Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines (Jacques 1st), the President of the Republic Michel Martelly, accompanied by government officials, ministers, senators... will travel to 7 am at Pont Rouge (Chancerelles) for the filing of the wreath at the monument of Dessalines.

Then at 9:30 am the Head of State will attend a Requiem Mass followed by a Te Deum to be sung in church Marchand-Dessalines. At the Place d'Armes of Marchand-Dessalines he will deliver a message for the occasion. A reception will also be offered in honor of President of the Republic at the School Sainte-Claire.

Poem "Dessalines" by Ignace Nau

"Dessalines, à ce nom, ami, découvrons-nous !

Je me sens le cœur battre à fléchir les genoux

Et jaillir à ce nom un sang chaud dans mes veines.

Suspendez vos plaisirs, recueillez votre cœur,

Songez à nos héros, songez à l'Empereur !

Et Jean-Jacques, semblable à quelque esprit de Dieu,

Dicta l'indépendance à la lueur du feu !..."

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born September 20, 1758, was first slaves in Santo Domingo. Then, during the disorders that lead to the independence of the island, he became lieutenant of Toussaint Louverture in October 1802 and organized the mutiny of the army of Santo Domingo against Napoleon's expedition. He fought the mulatto general André Rigaud and French General Charles Leclerc. In 1803 he managed to defeat the French at the Battle of Vertières, and on January 1st, 1804 Dessalines proclaimed the independence of Haiti. He made himself, initially, Governor General for life, then first Emperor of Haiti (1804-1806) under the name of Jacques 1st. On October 17th, 1806, Jean-Jacques Dessalines was assassinated to Pont-Rouge.

HL/ HaitiLibre