MAY 18, 2025 — As Haiti commemorates the 222nd anniversary of its national flag today, official events reflect both a commitment to civic pride and a backdrop of national uncertainty.
This year’s Flag Day festivities, themed “Yon sèl drapo, Yon sèl pèp, Yon sèl nasyon” (“One flag, one people, one nation”), emphasize unity and collective awareness across the country’s ten departments, reports Haiti Libre.
The city of Cap-Haitien is hosting this year’s official Flag Day celebrations, chosen as part of the government’s effort to decentralize national events.
In the lead-up to the holiday, preparations intensified. Yesterday, on May 17, dozens of schoolchildren gathered in Cap-Haitien’s Place d’Armes for final rehearsals. Under the guidance of instructors, they practiced choreographed marches and patriotic songs, expressing their pride ahead of the main parade.
Cleanup crews worked through the early morning to prepare the city, and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aimé, accompanied by cabinet members, visited various sites to oversee the arrangements, says Ici Haiti.
“Between 300 and 400 million gourdes are allocated for the celebration of the Bicolore for all 10 departments,” confirmed the Minister of Finance, highlighting the scope of this year’s commemorations.
The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Civic Action, led by Niola Lynn Sarah Devalis Octavius, has played a key role in organizing events across the country, including in the Grand’Anse, South, and West departments, as well as Arcahaie, the birthplace of the flag.
Arcahaie holds special historical significance. According to the Miami Herald, it was there in 1803 that the original Haitian flag was created. According to tradition, the white section of a French flag was torn away, and the remaining blue and red bands were sewn together by Catherine Flon to symbolize the unity of Black and mulatto fighters in the country’s struggle for independence. This act laid the foundation for what would become the first Black republic.
The 2025 theme, “One flag, one people, one nation”m aims to reinforce national unity during a period of serious challenges.
“This is a strong call for national unity, solidarity, and collective awareness across the ten departments,” Minister Octavius stated earlier in the week during a government information session.
Despite the festive planning and patriotic displays, the overall sentiment surrounding this year’s Flag Day is mixed. Haiti continues to grapple with escalating gang violence and political instability, issues that have cast a shadow over national celebrations. In the diaspora, particularly among Haitians in the United States, concerns persist over the potential impact of U.S. immigration policy.
As a result, many observers have noted a more subdued tone compared to previous years.
Image: Aerra Carnicom, CC BY-SA 4.0
