Saint-Junien Becomes First French City to Unveil Plaque Honoring Haiti's Independence

The town of Saint-Junien, in the Haute-Vienne department of France's Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, has unveiled a plaque commemorating the independence of Haiti, proclaimed on January 1st, 1804, according to icihaiti.com. The outlet reported that Saint-Junien becomes the first city in France to install such a commemorative plaque, following an initiative by the "Foutez-nous la Paix" Festival and the commitment of the municipal team. The Embassy of Haiti in France participated in the ceremony. According to icihaiti.com, the event was held in the presence of the Ambassador of Haiti Louino Volcy, the mayor of Saint-Junien, Hervé Beaudet, and personalities from the cultural and academic world, including writer Lyonel Trouillot and geographer Jean-Marie Théodat. While condemning slavery, Mayor Beaudet recalled the courage of Dessalines and the indigenous army who led Haiti to independence against French troops, noting that his city, a place of social and anti-colonial struggles, could not forget the uprising. Ambassador Volcy said the gesture pays tribute to "these men and women who, at the risk of their lives, fought slavery, dared to be free and founded the first independent black Republic in the world," calling it "a recognition of the importance of the history of Haiti," per the report. The outlet described the act as a memorial bridge between Saint-Junien and Haiti.