On Monday, May 18, 2026, the National Palace hosted a solemn ceremony marking the 223rd anniversary of the Haitian flag and University Day, celebrated under the theme Ansanm ak grenadye yo, ann fè drapo a flote pi wo ! (With the grenadiers, let's raise our flag higher !) [in reference to Haiti's participation in the 2026 World Cup].

During the symbolic raising of the flag on the lawns of the National Palace, in the presence of government members, including Marie Élizabeth Régine Joseph Haddad, Secretary General of the Presidency; Odilien Charles, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers; the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier, and members of the High Command; as well as Vladimir Paraison, Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), accompanied by the High Command, members of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), the diplomatic corps, representatives of the education sector, and students from several schools in the metropolitan area, a solemn tribute was paid to one of the most powerful symbols of our history and sovereignty.

This 223rd anniversary of our flag reminds us of the immortal work of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the Founding Father of the Nation, whose vision and determination brought about the birth of the world's first independent Black republic. It also recalls the historic act of Catherine Flon, who sewed the blue and red together to create the emblem of national unity, a living symbol of the reconciliation of the sons and daughters of Haiti in a shared ideal of freedom.

In his address, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé recalled the historical significance of May 18, 1803, which he described as a "sublime act in universal history." He emphasized the necessity of national unity, "for it was courage, vision, and unity that enabled our ancestors to achieve victory." He also reaffirmed his commitment to improving the living conditions of the population and combating armed gangs in order to create a climate conducive to holding elections in the country.

In his address, Dieuseul Prédélus, Rector of the State University of Haiti (UEH), emphasized the central role of higher education in national reconstruction. He stressed the UEH's responsibility to train students capable of innovating and building the country's future. Vijonet Deméro, the Minister of National Education, concluded by recalling that the Haitian flag embodies unity in the face of barbarity and remains a symbol of security and national renewal.

As part of this celebration of Flag and University Day, the national security forces, including the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), performed an impressive military parade, solemnly marking the military institution's commitment to republican values.

Deployed with exemplary discipline, this demonstration of strength and organization symbolized the presence and continuity of state authority.

Through this parade, the security forces reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to defending the territory, protecting the population, and preserving the gains of independence. This moment of national unity serves as a reminder that the Haitian flag remains the supreme symbol of the sovereignty, discipline, and unity of the Haitian people.

On this May 18th, the Republic honored the memory of its ancestors and renewed its confidence in its defense forces as an essential pillar of national stability.

In the presence of the Government, the Diplomatic Corps, and representatives of the nation's vital forces, a symbolic ceremony of song and dance transformed the grounds of the Republic. Inspired by the oath of the ancestors at Arcahaie, each note and each movement evoked the pain of servitude and the explosion of freedom that made us free.

This tribute, orchestrated in conjunction with the University Festival, celebrated the sacred union of academic intellect and the fighting spirit of our ancestors. Under the watchful and moved gaze of the Head of Government, the artists, draped in blue and red, rekindled the still-smoldering embers of history.

The Prime Minister praised a performance where the ground trembled to the rhythm of the drums, a symbol that Haiti, standing tall, never forgets that its flag is a dancing prayer.

SL/ HaitiLibre