Across Haiti, public and private educational institutions from all 10 departmental education directorates (DDEs) have come together to honor a defining moment in the nation’s history, launching a two-day series of socio-educational, pedagogical and cultural activities leading up to the 220th anniversary of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ assassination.
Organized under the leadership of Haiti’s Ministry of National Education and guided by a formal circular issued by Minister Vijonet Déméro on October 14, 2026, the events were held on October 15 and 16, two days before the anniversary of Dessalines’ 1806 assassination, and centered on the official theme: “In the Spirit of Dessalines, Let’s Work Hand in Hand for Peace”.
The flagship national commemoration took place on October 16 at Lycée National de Pétion-ville, a prominent secondary school draped in Haiti’s national colors for the occasion. The event was crafted to help younger generations deepen their understanding of the multifaceted legacy of Dessalines, widely recognized as the founding father of the independent Haitian nation.
Speaking to assembled students and educators, the Director of Secondary Education underscored the lasting impact of Dessalines’ political leadership, emphasizing that his work was deeply human, radically subversive, and revolutionary for its time. Noted academic Miguel Fleurijean shared reflections on the emperor’s life and legacy, urging contemporary Haitians to embrace Dessalines as a model for collective action. “We must look to Dessalines as a model, so that today we might find the courage to rouse the country from its lethargy,” Fleurijean said, also praising the education ministry’s initiative to bring the commemoration to school campuses nationwide.
Kendy Nicolas, Director of Fundamental Education, framed the annual remembrance as far more than a historical tribute. Nicolas noted that the anniversary of Dessalines’ assassination acts both as a solemn act of remembrance for the nation’s founding leader and a critical invitation for all Haitians to examine the country’s current trajectory and collective future.
Étienne Louisseul France, the West Department’s Departmental Director of Education, echoed the call for national unity echoed in the event’s theme, emphasizing that the commemoration is both a historical duty and a catalyst for civic awakening. “This commemoration of the Emperor’s assassination is more than just a duty to remember, it represents a moment for reflection and the awakening of our civic consciousness,” France said, reinforcing the theme’s call for collective action for peace.
Jean-Marc Charles, principal of host institution Lycée National de Pétion-ville, closed out official remarks by highlighting the full scope of Dessalines’ legacy, also known by his regnal name Jacques I. Charles emphasized Dessalines’ unyielding commitment to securing freedom and dignity for enslaved people across Saint-Domingue and the broader Atlantic world, cementing his status as a global figure in the fight for emancipation.