Christmas Meals in Haiti: A Time of Sharing and Conviviality

It’s summer in Haiti!

Summer in Haiti, a vibrant and sunny time, is much more than just a season. It is a celebration of life, culture and nature in this Caribbean country. Let me take you on a journey through the different facets of the Haitian summer, where the sun shines brightly, music resonates and nature flourishes.

Anténor Firmin, the genius of the 19th century Haitian

Joseph-Auguste Anténor Firmin was born on October 28, 1850 in Cap-Haïtien, in a Haïti recently emancipated from the colonial yoke, he died on September 19, 1911 at the age of 60 in exile. He is undoubtedly one of the most emblematic intellectual figures of his time. His life, marked by an exceptional career in the political, literary and diplomatic fields, illustrates the genius of a Haitian intellectual whose contributions have left an indelible mark on history.

Zoom on Pierry Denejour, on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of DEP-ARTS.

In a town struck by insecurity and economic problems, where survival becomes a daily struggle, some refuse to give in to chaos. In Carrefour, a city plunged into the spiral of violence that eats away at all signs of life, Pierry Denejour embodies this spirit of resistance. Aged around thirty, the native of Port-au-Prince is not only a merchant. The only son of Evena Denejour – a "Marijàn" whose name he proudly bears –, the entrepreneur has transformed his love for art into a passion that lights up his life. A collector of paintings on canvas, he is also the founder of DEP-ARTS Production Multi-Services, a company he launched on December 2, 2018, which is now celebrating six years of active presence in the Carrefour community. Specializing in the sale of electronic equipment, MonCash and NatCash services among others, DEP-ARTS has built a solid reputation in six years. But beyond its commercial activities, it is through its ability to establish relationships of trust and support community initiatives that Pierry has established itself as a key player in its community. Under his leadership, DEP-ARTS is much more than a company: it is a symbol of hope in a town in search of renewal.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines, leader of the Haitian Revolution

In the annals of the history of Haiti, an island located in the Caribbean at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico and shared with the Dominican Republic, Jean-Jacques Dessalines emerges like a phoenix from the ashes of oppression. Born a slave on September 20, 1758 in the home of Henri Duclos, in Cormier (Grande-Rivière-du-Nord), in the French colony of Saint-Domingue, Dessalines was a Creole of African (Afro-Caribbean) origin. Freed during the 1794 abolition achieved through slave revolts, actually served as an officer in the French army during the French Revolution. At that time, the ideas of freedom and equality were at the heart of the concerns of the inhabitants of the colonies. Dessalines actively participated in the fighting against the Spanish and British forces, alongside the French, in Santo Domingo. Having risen to the rank of Lieutenant General, Jean-Jacques Dessalines turned against the French during the Leclerc expedition, sent to Saint-Domingue by Bonaparte to reestablish colonial authority and slavery during the Haitian Revolution. After the capture and deportation of Toussaint Louverture to France on June 7, 1802, Dessalines assumed a leading role in continuing the struggle for independence. He led numerous battles, including the battle of Crête-à-Pierrot in March 1802, where he galvanized his soldiers with his famous declaration: “Let those who want to remain slaves of the French leave the fort, let those, on the contrary, who want to die as free men, line up around me.” On January 1, 1804, Jean-Jacques Dessalines achieved the long-awaited goal of independence by proclaiming Haïti as a sovereign nation, becoming the second country in the Americas to gain independence from a colonial power. He became the first leader of the newly formed nation and was named Emperor under the name James I. However, his imperial reign was marked by authoritarian and brutal policies, including the massacre of many white settlers and the redistribution of land to peasants that was in the hands of the generals of the independence army. In addition, he organized the hunt for delinquents in the city while implementing rigorous agrarian policies, considering that they represented a threat to the stability of the nation, these controversial actions caused divisions within Haitian society. Dessalines was assassinated on October 17, 1806 following a plot organized by some of his generals in the Haitian army. His death marked the end of his brief but influential period in power. Despite the controversies surrounding his methods, he is recognized as the main architect of Haiti’s independence and his name was honored in 1903 by being attributed to the Haitian national anthem, La Dessalinienne, composed by Justin Lhérisson.Finally, the great visionary man Jean Jacques Dessalines remains an emblematic figure in the history of Haiti, recognized for his role in the fight for independence and the end of slavery in the region.

Emmanuel Joseph, a Haitian Thinker at the Crossroads of Ethics and Law

Originally from Bainet and raised in Petit-Goâve, Haiti, Emmanuel Joseph embodies one of the rising figures of the Haitian intelligentsia. A jurist, ethicist, and Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Sherbrooke (Canada), his journey reflects a rigorous commitment to justice, human rights, and critical thinking. Local Roots, Global Outlook Educated in Haiti’s public and religious schools, Emmanuel Joseph began his intellectual path at the Apostolic School of Petit-Goâve, then excelled at the Lycée Faustin Soulouque. His grades, consistently between 8 and 9 out of 10, demonstrated remarkable discipline and rigor from an early age. His university education began at the Faculty of Ethnology (FE) and the Faculty of Law and Economics (FDSE) of the State University of Haiti, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in November 2013. His academic profile sharpened in Canada, especially at the University of Quebec in Rimouski (UQAR), where he completed a master’s degree in philosophy/ethics in 2020, before pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Sherbrooke, focusing on a broad yet fundamental theme: humanitarian action as experience.

Haiti: History and Geography

Haiti, the pearl of the Caribbean, is a country that shines with its unique history and spectacular geography. This territory, rich in culture and traditions, deserves to be rediscovered, by highlighting its assets and its exceptional contributions to world heritage.