Haiti bids farewell to literary giant Frankétienne in solemn funeral

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti bid a solemn farewell to Jean-Pierre Basilic Dantor Franck Étienne d’Argent, known as Frankétienne, at a funeral service held at St. Peter’s Church in Pétion-Ville on Feb. 28. Mourners filled the church, from government dignitaries to fellow artists, writers, and devoted readers, reflecting the profound impact Frankétienne had on Haitian culture.

Frankétienne, who passed away at age 88, left an unparalleled literary and artistic legacy. His work spanned novels, poetry, essays, theater, and painting, influencing generations in Haiti and beyond.

Honoring a towering literary figure

Throughout the service, speakers paid tribute to Frankétienne’s immense contributions. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé hailed him as a Haitian icon whose influence transcended generations.

“Haiti has lost a giant of all time, a legendary genius,” Fils-Aimé said. “Frankétienne, one of the most prominent figures in Haitian visual arts and literature, is an indomitable icon, immortalized through his work.”

Bendgy Tilias, Secretary of State for Communication, echoed those sentiments.

“We must be grateful to Frankétienne, who represented a giant in the country’s literature,” Tilias said. “The writer is gone, but his works will remain immortal.”

A legacy of resistance and innovation

Frankétienne was known not only for his literary genius but also for his unwavering commitment to social justice. A fierce advocate for Haitian Creole, he made history in 1975 with Dézafi, the first modern novel written entirely in Creole. His work was deeply intertwined with Haiti’s political struggles, often serving as a form of resistance against dictatorship and oppression.

His distinctive style—blending surrealism with sharp social critique—helped define spiralism, a literary movement he co-founded, which embraced chaos as both an artistic and political expression.

Over the years, his contributions were recognized globally. Frankétienne was a 2009 Nobel Prize nominee, a UNESCO Artist for Peace, and a Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters. In 1988, he briefly served as Haiti’s Minister of Culture.

A nation pays its respects

The night before the funeral, a ceremony honored Frankétienne’s life and work, attended by former ministers, diplomats, and literary figures. The gathering reflected on his lasting impact, celebrating his role as both a national treasure and a global literary force.

As the funeral procession moved through Pétion-Ville, mourners lined the streets, some holding copies of his books, others singing songs inspired by his writings. The service concluded with a heartfelt rendition of Haiti Chérie, a tribute to the country Frankétienne so deeply loved and portrayed in his work.

Scenes from the farewell to Frankétienne.

Final farewell

As Haiti mourns Frankétienne’s passing, his words and art continue to resonate. His legacy, deeply rooted in the Haitian experience, will live on through the generations he inspired.

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