Port-au-Prince residents refuse to break tradition, celebrating the 222nd anniversary of Haiti Flag Day

Port-au-Prince residents refuse to break tradition, celebrating the 222nd anniversary of Haiti Flag Day

PORT-AU-PRINCE —Under a white canopy at Petite Place Cazeau, artisan Fanfan Jean-Louis carefully arranged hand-painted carvings and flags as konpa music played and the smell of fried food lingered. He and dozens of other vendors gathered for a three-day celebration of the Haitian flag’s 222nd anniversary—honoring tradition in a city gripped by fear and unrest.“Just as our ancestors fought for this extraordinary day, we are obliged to celebrate i…