The lecture delivered on Tuesday morning is part of Cuba’s Month of Francophonie, which on the occasion dealt with a significant historical episode: the Haitian revolution, an event that led to the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean colony of Saint-Domingue and the proclamation of the First Empire of Haiti.

That process took place after the War of Independence of the United States and preceded the independence movements in Latin America.

As a consequence of the loss of Haiti, Napoleon Bonaparte sold Louisiana to the United States of America.

Saint-Domingue went from being a colony ruled by a caste system to becoming the cradle of the only successful slave rebellion in history, and at one of the most radical revolutions at that.

The Month of Francophony in Cuba is being observed in Havana and in the eastern province of Santiago, featuring exhibitions, concerts, literature talks, film screening and arts, with a performance by French hip-hop influenced dance company Bakhus and the staging of the play “Favez”.

Much anticipated, the play will be hosted by the Adolfo Llauradó Theater in El Vedado, from March 18 through 23, after the main event is over.

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