As part of the celebration of the 220th anniversary of the Independence of Haiti (January 1, 1804) and the Day of the Forefathers (January 2) Lesly Condé, Ex-Consul General of Haiti in Chicago (2004-2018) delivered a message of reflections that we invite you to read...

Message from Lesly Condé :

"Dear fellow citizens and friends everywhere,

Here we are at the end of 2023. It's time to look back and appreciate how far we've come. All this is now behind us. Experiences have been acquired. You have to move forward. From our mistakes, we have learned a lot. The most important thing is to know how to learn from all the mistakes we make. There are inevitably projects that, for one reason or another, we were not able to carry out during the year 2023. They will be added to our list for 2024. The important thing is to take care care of ourselves because there is nothing more precious than health. For my part, I am delighted to be able to be in your company again this year. I wish you a happy holiday season and much success in all your endeavors for the year 2024.

As the years go by without being the same, we are preparing to begin the year 2024 without most of the restrictions of previous years. However, caution is always required, and each of us has a role to play in protecting the planet. The future of our children is at stake. What we must not forget is that the good deeds we do or the positive thoughts we entertain have a way of revisiting us when we least expect it. So the year 2024 will be what you make of it. I wish you it filled with pleasant surprises and moments of joy.

For us Haitians, the first day of January is also and above all one of the most important historical dates there is. This year, we are celebrating the 220th anniversary of the glorious day that Haiti, the first sovereign black nation in the New World, was born. January 1, 1804, went down in history as the day when slavery was decisively defeated. It was on November 18, 1803, during the famous Battle of Vertières that Jean-Jacques Dessalines, at the head of an army of former slaves, inflicted a humiliating and unmistakable defeat on Napoleon's slave army. January 2nd of each year is also a day dedicated to our valiant ancestors. If nations around the world do not join us in celebrating freedom, it is because they still do not know it.

At the start of this year, I cannot help but think of the devastating earthquake that struck our country on January 12, 2010. There is pain that will never go away, and survivors who no longer have any reason to exist. Don’t hesitate to make a gesture of solidarity whenever you have the opportunity.

In closing, I wish you all an excellent 2024 in prudence, peace and security. Aware of all the challenges, I wish you above all enough courage and wisdom to overcome them."

Messages from Lesly Condé 2023:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-41316-haiti-social-new-year-s-message-from-lesly-conde-2024.html

Messages from Lesly Condé 2022:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38451-haiti-christmas-end-of-year-message-from-lesly-conde.html

Messages from Lesly Condé 2021:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35584-haiti-social-wishes-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-new-year.html

HL/ HaitiLibre