Commemoration of the Bois-Caïman Ceremony: Haiti's Ministry of Culture Announces Big Plans for the 234th Anniversary

The Minister of Culture and Communication took advantage of the 21st edition of the « Mardis de la Nation » on August 12, 2025, to launch the national commemorations of the August 14 Bois-Caïman ceremony. For the 234th anniversary of this event, which marked the beginning of the struggle for Haiti's independence, a whole series of activities has been announced. A budget of 100 million gourdes is planned. It should be recalled that a communication campaign was launched on August 6. August 14, 1791 – August 14, 2025: 234 years have passed since the Bois-Caïman ceremony, a founding act of the Haitian revolution that led to independence in 1804. This year, the Haitian government has chosen to place this commemoration at the heart of a national mobilization. During the 21st edition of the « Mardis de la Nation », the Minister of Culture and Communication, Patrick Delatour, unveiled the main directions of this celebration. Various cultural activities — music, dance, theater — will be organized in all regions of the country, to highlight the richness and diversity of Haitian communities. A budget of 100 million gourdes is allocated to finance these festivities. Beyond the entertainment, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to the restoration and enhancement of major heritage sites: the Citadelle, the Sans Souci Palace, the Milot Chapel, as well as the conversion of the former prisons of Jacmel and Cap-Haïtien into cultural centers. Several contracts have already been signed with national and international partners to realize these projects. In response to recent attacks and fires targeting historical monuments, the executive is strengthening heritage protection. The Institute for the Safeguarding of National Heritage (ISPAN) has been mandated to draw up a precise inventory of damaged buildings to plan appropriate interventions and prevent the definitive loss of major symbols of national history. This mobilization is also part of an international campaign launched on August 6 at the Karibe Hotel, under the theme: « Bois Caïman: words for freedom. Bois Caïman, I remember ». Recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, this legacy symbolizes not only Haiti's struggle against slavery but also its contribution to the universal history of freedom. The Haitian Minister of Culture, Patrick Delatour, called on all Haitians to unite around this commemoration, to honor the courage of their ancestors, and to affirm the country's cultural sovereignty. Furthermore, the country is increasingly facing insecurity. Access roads to provincial towns, particularly in northern Haiti where the mythical site of this ceremony is located, are still controlled by gangs. The editorial team