The Centre for the study of the Legacies of British Slavery UCL Elsa V. Goveia Memorial Speaker Series 2026 Haiti's 'Double Debt': From Commemoration to Reparation Prof. Charles Forsdick Drapers Professor of French, University of Cambridge 5pm-7pm, Wednesday 18 March 2026 Room G12, 1-19 Torrington Place, UCL https://tinyurl.com/ElsaGoveia2026 The poster is in bold colours of dark blue, cream and an orangey-red to match the Haitian flag also pictured. The images are: - a black and white line drawing of the signing of the "Treaty with Haiti" which shows Toussaint L'Ouverture seated at a table with another man who is holding a quill pen in his hand and various other figures. - Flag of the First Republic of Haiti (fabric). "The flag is composed of two horizontal bands of worsted bunting, blue over red. Sewn onto the center of both sides of the flag is a square panel of off-white linen with the coat of arms of the Republic of Haiti painted in oil. The coat of arms consists of a royal palm tree on a green ground surmounted by a red Phrygian cap or “cap of liberty” and with a drum at its base. Flanking the palm on each side are three national flags, a bronze fieldpiece and stacked cannon balls, along with stands of muskets and bayonets. Below is a red scroll edged and lettered in yellow, bearing the words “REPUBLIQUE D’HAYTI.”" (Description from the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture) In the bottom right is a headshot of Prof Charles Forsdick.
We are delighted to announce the details for the 2026 Elsa V. Goveia Memorial Speaker Series! This year, our guest speaker is Professor Charles Forsdick, who will present on "Haiti's 'Double Debt': from Commemoration to Reparation". Join us on campus at 5pm, Wed 18 March tinyurl.com/ElsaGoveia2026
