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Holidays in HaitiJours Fériés en Haïti
Holidays in Haiti
Jours Fériés en Haïti
  • 24 Novanm 2023
  • | 0

Holidays in Haiti

Haiti, the pearl of the Antilles, is a country rich in history and culture. Its public holidays are moments of celebration, commemoration and reflection on its glorious past. Each date has a special meaning, plunging Haitians into a festive and memorable atmosphere.

January 1: National Independence Day and New Year


January 1st is a doubly special day in Haiti. On the one hand, it is National Independence Day, commemorating the victory of Haitian slaves over French colonial forces in 1804. On the other hand, it is New Year’s Eve, marking the start of a new year full of promises and hopes.

January 2: Feast of the Forefathers

January 2 is dedicated to the memory of ancestors. It is an opportunity for Haitians to remember their roots, to celebrate the cultural heritage passed down from generation to generation.

February: Carnival, Shrove Monday, Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday

The month of February is marked by Carnival, one of the most colorful and dynamic festivities in Haiti. The streets fill with parades, lively music and wild dancing. Mardi Gras is the culmination of Carnival, followed by Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent.

April: Easter, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday

Easter celebrations in Haïti include the religious traditions of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. It is a time of prayer and reflection for many Haitians.

May 1: Agriculture and Labor Day

May 1 is dedicated to celebrating the work and importance of agriculture in the life of the country. It is an opportunity to recognize the efforts of workers and to highlight the agricultural sector.

May 18: Flag Festival

Flag Day celebrates the Haitian flag, a symbol of independence and national pride. Haitians honor their colors and remember the courage of their ancestors in the fight for freedom.

May 23: National Sovereignty Day

This day commemorates the recognition of Haitian sovereignty by France in 1805. It is a moment of national pride and reaffirmation of independence.

May - August: Ascension

The Ascension is celebrated between May and August, a religious festival marking the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven.

June: Fête-Dieu

Fête-Dieu, also known as the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, is an important religious celebration in June.

August 15: Assumption of Mary

The Assumption of Mary is a Christian holiday marking the ascension of the Virgin Mary into heaven. It is celebrated with fervor in Haiti.

September 20: Birth Anniversary of Jean-Jacques Dessalines

This date commemorates the birth of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, one of the founding fathers of Haïti and a key leader in the struggle for independence.

October 17: Death of Dessalines

October 17 is a day of commemoration of the death of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, recalling his impact on Haitian history.

November 1: All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is a religious holiday honoring all saints, celebrated with prayers and visits to cemeteries.

November 2: Day of the Dead

All Souls’ Day is an opportunity to pay homage to the deceased by decorating graves and participating in religious ceremonies.

November 18: Commemoration of the Battle of Vertières

This day honors the decisive Haitian victory at the Battle of Vertières in 1803, marking the end of the French occupation.

December 5: Discovery Day

December 5 celebrates the discovery of the island by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

December 25: Christmas

Christmas celebrations in Haïti are marked by family reunions, festive meals and religious traditions.

Public holidays in Haïti are much more than breaks from everyday life; these are moments that embody the soul and resilience of a people. Each celebration provides an opportunity to come together, remember the past and look to the future with hope and determination.

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French : Jours Fériés en Haïti

Spanish : Vacaciones en Haití

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Why Choose Haïti as a Tourist Destination?

Haiti, the pearl of the Antilles, is attracting more and more attention from travelers looking for unique and authentic experiences. This Caribbean jewel is full of cultural, historical and natural riches that make it an unmissable tourist destination. So why choose Haïti among so many other destinations? b~The Fascinating History~b Haïti has a rich history, marked by the Haitian Revolution of 1804, which led to the country’s independence and made Haïti the first independent black republic. Historical sites such as the Citadelle Laferrière, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, bear witness to this glorious past. History lovers will be delighted by the colonial remains, museums and monuments that dot the country. b~An Exuberant Nature~b The natural landscapes of Haïti are breathtaking. From white sand beaches to lush mountains and picturesque waterfalls, the country offers a diversity of vistas to explore. La Visite National Park and the Bassin Bleu are must-sees for nature lovers and adventurers in search of discoveries. b~Cultural Wealth~b Haïti is the birthplace of Voodoo, an Afro-Caribbean religion that has deeply influenced Haitian culture. Visitors have the opportunity to experience voodoo ceremonies, traditional dances and captivating music. Colorful markets, lively festivals and local artisans offer total immersion into daily Haitian life. b~A Living Art~b The Haitian art scene is vibrant and unique. Painting, sculpture and traditional crafts reflect the boundless creativity of the Haitian people. Local art galleries and markets are full of colorful and expressive works, offering visitors the opportunity to acquire unique pieces as souvenirs of their trip. b~Haitian Hospitality~b Haitians are renowned for their warmth and exceptional hospitality. Visitors are greeted with a genuine smile and remarkable kindness. Hospitality traditions are deeply rooted in Haitian culture, creating a warm and friendly atmosphere that makes each stay memorable. Haïti stands out for its captivating blend of culture, history, nature and hospitality. Choosing Haïti as a tourist destination means opting for an authentic adventure in the heart of the Caribbean, where each corner of the island reveals a new facet of its beauty and wealth. So, let yourself be seduced by the Haitian magic and set off to discover this unique Caribbean treasure.

Living in Prose and Poetry: an unmissable summer event in Port-au-Prince.

Living in Prose and Poetry is an artistic and cultural event organized by the cultural organization Salon de Livre de Port-au-Prince (OCSLPAP) with the aim of bringing together young artists from the Haitian capital to exhibit them to a large audience . This edition will take place on Saturday July 27, 2024, at the pyépoudré cultural center, located at number 332 on the Route de Bourne. This year the organizers announce their mission is to bring together talents from various categories of arts, always with the aim of helping them to become familiar with each other, and to help create a solid link between them and the Haitian public. . The categories targeted by the organizers for this second edition are young poets, slammers, comedians, rappers, dancers, singers, painters, and writers who have already published at least one work. Living in prose and poetry will also be an opportunity to encourage Haitian youth to think. The first part of the event will be devoted to a discussion around a text by the famous Haitian writer Louis Philippe Dalembert, entitled The Other Face of the Sea. It is a novel which carefully addresses the subject of immigration and detachment that goes with it in the immigrant’s skin. It is a book that speaks openly to the reality of the Haitian people today. It has already been announced that this first part will be moderated by the journalist and literary critic Carl Pierrecq who works for the short story writer, and moderation will be provided by Pierre Marie, a young sociology student at the Faculty of Human Sciences (FASCH). After a largely successful first edition which took place in May 2023 in the premises of the municipal library of Delmas, the organizers of living in prose and poetry say they are determined and have made the promise for this year to deliver to the public port-au -princien, a cultural event of exceptional scale for the second outing. Once again, this will be the perfect opportunity to celebrate the great richness of Haitian culture through the organs of our young talents. Given the difficult context, manifested by the almost daily situation of insecurity which has prevailed for some time, in a good part of Port-au-Prince, the announcement of this event comes as a fresh breath of oxygen, scattered throughout the within the lungs of the city. It is yet another opportunity to remind through this artistic festivity that even in times of deep unrest, art will remain an indispensable light, because even in times of crisis, the latter and the artist (its channel of diffusion) will become refuges, sources of comfort and appeasement for all human souls.

History

History

First black nation to free itself from slavery and gain independence from France in 1804 and influenced other liberation movements around the world, inspiring struggles for freedom and equality.

Natural beauty

Natural beauty

Haïti is blessed with spectacular natural landscapes, including white sand beaches, mountains and rich biodiversity.

Heritage

Heritage

Haïti has a rich historical heritage, including sites like the Citadelle Laferrière and the Sans-Souci Palace, listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Culture

Culture

Haïti has a rich and diverse culture, influenced by African, European and indigenous elements. Haitian music, dance, art and cuisine are celebrated around the world.