As May 18, 2025, approaches, the city of Cap-Haïtien is transforming into the epicenter of Haitian patriotism. Under the theme "One Flag, One People, One Nation," the government has chosen this historic city to host the official festivities marking the 222nd anniversary of the national flag. Parades, marching bands, conferences, and government presences herald a major celebration, a vehicle for memory, culture, and national unity.
Under the theme "One Flag, One People, One Nation," Haiti is preparing to celebrate the 222nd anniversary of the creation of its national flag this Sunday, May 18, 2025. This year, the historic city of Cap-Haïtien has been chosen by the government to host the official Flag and University Day festivities.
Already buzzing with excitement, Cap-Haïtien is adorning its finest colors to welcome delegations from all over the country. Banners, posters, marching band rehearsals, and final logistical installations all testify to the magnitude of this great patriotic celebration.
The traditional May 18 parade, the highlight of the day, will bring together a host of marching bands from the most renowned schools and music schools in the North. Among the expected participants: the Institut Sacré-Cœur du Cap-Haïtien, the renowned CEMUCHCA Band, and Douce Mélodie de Milot, who will open the festivities with their melodious performances.
The Institut Royal du Cap-Haïtien (IRCAH), accompanied by the Louis Mercier Band, promises to move the audience with a vibrant performance of patriotism. The Collège Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours (CNDPS), the Collège Pratique du Nord (CPN), the Band of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, the Collège Alexandre Dumas-Fils (CAD), and the Holyphonie Band will complete this musical ensemble.
Other institutions such as the Fanfare Universelle, Capois Lamort, Gamme Musique du Collège Honoré Féry, Genius Academy, St. Juste Antoine, and the Collège d'Études Classiques will enrich this musical ensemble. The Salon Musique Classique du Nord Band (SMUCLA), Collège Saint-Denis, Collège Oasis du Cap-Haïtien, and Bethesda Evangelical School in Cambefort will also contribute.
Sunday, May 18th, promises to be a busy day. Starting at 8:00 a.m., the following events are planned: the ceremonial raising of the flag, a mass and Te Deum at 8:30 a.m., followed by the official parade at 10:30 a.m., government speeches at 11:00 a.m., and a ceremonial dinner at 11:30 a.m.
The official parade route will take place along several strategic axes of the city. The parade will begin at 90 Boulevard, passing through 24 Blvd - 18 Blvd - 18A - 5A - 2A - 2L - 18L - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., and will end in front of the Cap-Haïtien City Hall.
Preliminary activities began this Friday, May 16. According to Fritz Timo, North Departmental Director of the MENFP (Ministry of Public Education), several educational conferences were organized at the Toussaint Louverture high school in Bréda, the Dutty Boukman high school, the Philippe Guerrier high school, the François Capois high school in Limonade, and the Jean-Jacques Dessalines high school in Grande-Rivière du Nord. These conferences were given by history teachers around this year's central theme. "The choice of the theme "One Flag, One People, One Nation" reflects our desire to rebuild the social fabric. If we want to build a strong nation, we must relearn how to live together," declared Fritz Timo.
Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, several ministers, and members of the cabinet had already arrived in Cap-Haïtien this Friday afternoon to oversee final preparations and demonstrate the government's active presence alongside the people. As residents and visitors flock to the city, the atmosphere is already charged with anticipation. Artists, students, public institutions, and citizens—all forces are mobilizing to make May 18th a true celebration of national unity.
However, two days before the event, the atmosphere in the city does not yet reflect the excitement expected of a national celebration. Several streets in Cap-Haïtien remain littered with trash, the promised major cleanup is struggling to materialize, and the unsanitary conditions in some neighborhoods contrast with the image we would like to project. Electricity is absent, plunging many areas into darkness as soon as nightfall falls, hampering the preparations of many homes and businesses. Residents, for their part, display mixed motivation, oscillating between familiarity with a repetitive national holiday and skepticism about official promises. Despite the arrival of the authorities, a part of the population remains indifferent, more concerned with daily emergencies than with occasional speeches.
