December 5, 2025
The Haitian government has warmly celebrated the recognition of Yanick Lahens, winner of the 2025 Grand Prix du roman of the Académie française for Passagères de nuit. In an official statement, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé expressed “his deepest pride” and “heartfelt congratulations” to an author who, in his words, “embodies the creative genius of Haiti.”
Awarded in Paris on October 30, this prestigious honor once again places Haitian literature at the heart of the global Francophone world. The government emphasized that Yanick Lahens’s career and body of work have long illuminated “Haitian thought and culture around the world.”
In Passagères de nuit, the writer explores with rare depth the intertwined destinies of Haitian and Louisianan women of the 19th century. These characters, both vulnerable and indomitable, symbolize the perseverance and dignity of a people who constantly rise again.
“Yanick Lahens is a major voice of our collective memory,” the statement affirmed, describing her as a clear-sighted conscience and an ambassador of Haitian Francophonie. Her work, deeply rooted in history, reflects a writing style that is both intimate and universal.
In celebrating this distinction, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé reiterated the State’s commitment to culture, education, and the arts — pillars of national identity. He reminded the public that these fields remain “the levers of hope” for a country that continues to draw from its creativity the strength for its future.
