TOUR OF HAITI HEROES

Today marks 233 years since the start of the Haitian Revolution, which saw Africans free themselves from slavery, and birth the first Black republic. It was a boon not just for the Caribbean island, but the region as well. As part of its foreign policy, Haiti gave assistance to Simon Bolivar, who would go on to fight for the liberation of countries like Bolivia, Venezuela and Ecuador, with one condition, he had to free slaves wherever he found them.

In memory of what happened on 22 August 1791, we thought we’d treat you to a quiet corner of Ecuador and slice of Haitian history. This video shows Republic of Haiti Square, in Quito’s San Juan neighbourhood. You’ll spot two busts: the first is of Jean Jacques Dessalines, the founder of the Republic of Haiti. The second is of Alexandre Sabès Pétion, the ‘father of Pan-Americanism’. Both were crafted by sculptor Vicente Bolaños.

The West continues to portray Haiti as the poster-child for failed states, overrun by gangs and rampant instability. But that can never hide how the small Caribbean island has hit well above its weight in terms of revolutionary solidarity throughout the bad days of colonialism.

That’s why beautiful squares like this exit. They may not be big or get much publicity, but they remember what should never be forgotten. Hope you enjoy our little tour.