Lesly Condé, the Consul General of Haiti in Chicago, delivered a message during the evening of Unity, organized last Saturday to commemorate the 209th anniversary of the Independence of Haiti and to remember the victims of the 2010 earthquake.

Message of Consul Lesly Condé

"At the dawn of this brand new year, I am immensely privileged to be here with you. This gathering is very important to me because it is about unity; the one ingredient that surely will brighten our nation's future. I greet you all on behalf of the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago and wish you much success in 2013. I also want to thank and congratulate the HAITIANS CONGRESS TO FORTIFY HAITI and MAHAW, the two associations whose enthusiastic contribution made this event possible.

We begin every year with a lot of enthusiasm. We make new plans and resolutions. This is a time of great optimism and determination. My wish for this community is that we keep learning to live with one another, to collaborate for the common good despite our philosophical differences.Together, we can do so much for our community and for our country.

Today, we are also celebrating the 209th anniversary of our country's independence. 209 years ago, our ancestors shocked the world and created a free black nation in the New World. Considering that slavery was then the way of the world and knowing how dehumanizing a system it was; we cannot stop praising the courage of our ancestors. Indeed, our forefathers occupy a place of respect in the history of mankind. No one can take that away from our identity.

However, during these 209 years, our nation has had its share of tragedies. On the 12th day of January 2010, Haiti was hit by the worst earthquake of its entire existence. We, who survived that disaster, will never be the same; so deep are the scars. On behalf of the Consulate General of Haiti in Chicago, I convey my heartfelt sympathies to all my compatriots. Let us heal together ! Let us stay together !"

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-7553-haiti-news-some-news-here-and-there.html

HL/ HaitiLibre