Eugene hosts Haitian Flag Day celebration

Eugene hosts Haitian Flag Day celebration|Eugene hosts Haitian Flag Day celebration
Associated Press / Dieu Nalio Chery|Associated Press / Dieu Nalio Chery

On Sunday night, Brooklyn Council Member Dr. Mathieu Eugene hosted Haitian Flag Day in the Erasmus Hall High School auditorium in Flatbush, Brooklyn, drawing a highly enthusiastic crowd of more than 400 people.

Eugene, who represents the 40th Council District, held the event in partnership with the Haitian community, Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the City Council.

Every year, Eugene hosts a Haitian Flag Day celebration that is attended by Haitian-Americans throughout New York City and beyond.

The event is a continuation of a centuries-long tradition of people of Haitian ancestry celebrating Haitian Flag Day with friends from all nationalities.

Sunday’s event featured a cultural ceremonial presentation with live entertainment, followed by a reception.

“Haitian Flag Day is a wonderful and joyous occasion that pays tribute to the immense contributions that the Haitian people have made to culture and society in Haiti, America and throughout the world,” Eugene said.

“It is truly an uplifting celebration that unites the Haitian people and other nationalities in a spirit of solidarity and friendship.”

Eugene also used the occasion to ask the audience to observe a moment of silence “as a sign of support and sympathy” for the victims of the recent earthquakes in Nepal that have resulted in over 8,000 deaths and more than double that number of people injured.

Associated Press / Dieu Nalio Chery