Haiti Flag Day: Usach International and students participate in activities at the embassy

On the occasion of the 221st anniversary of the Haitian flag and in accordance with the close ties between USACH and Haiti, the diplomatic delegation in our country invited students and the director of international relations to participate in various cultural activities.

The Embassy of the Republic of Haiti, through Ambassador Wedlyne François Pierre, invited the Department of International Relations (DRII) and student volunteers from the USACH Without Borders program, to participate in an exhibition of artistic expressions in commemoration of May 18, Haitian Flag Day.

Representing the Universidad de Santiago de Chile was the director of the DRII, Fernando Olmos Galleguillos, along with a group of Chilean students who are part of the USACH Without Borders program, who were able to observe plastic samples, participate in linguistic dynamics and enjoy musical presentations.

Flag Day in Haiti: Symbol of Freedom and Independence

On May 18, 1803, in response to the need for a flag to fly during the revolution, the Haitian flag that we know today was created. On January 1, 1804, Haiti's independence was declared, making it the first independent republic of African descent in the world.

Through this historic event, and together with the emblem that represented the flag, Haiti not only achieved its independence, but also the abolition of slavery. In this way, it became the first Afro-descendant slave rebellion in contemporary history.

University relations with Haiti

The Universidad de Santiago de Chile maintains strong ties with Haiti through its diplomatic delegation in the Chilean capital. An example of this is the active participation of the Haitian community in the Spanish courses for foreigners offered by USACH, or the 2023 edition of the Migrant Culture Festival, whose guest of honor was Haiti and which included film screenings, exhibitions, lectures, poetry recitals, gastronomy and conversations about Haitian popular culture.

This festival was made possible thanks to the management of the Extension Department of the Vice-Rectory of Public Engagement and Outreach (VIME), which even allowed the participation of the Haitian band RAM, an emblematic group with more than 30 years of career that performed at the Teatro Aula Magna USACH.

During the celebration of the 221st anniversary of the creation of the Haitian flag, Ambassador Wedlyne François Pierre took the opportunity to express her gratitude for the close ties between the Universidad de Santiago de Chile and the diplomatic delegation she represents. The Department of International Relations, on behalf of USACH, also thanked and celebrated the relations with the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti, in accordance with its permanent commitment to the development of internationalization in our institution.