We are honoured to announce a tribute dedicated to Suzanne Comhaire-Sylvain, Haiti’s first Black female anthropologist and a pioneering scholar in the fields of anthropology, linguistics, and oral literature.
Suzanne Comhaire-Sylvain made foundational contributions to the study of Haitian Creole, Haitian storytelling traditions, and the broader significance of oral cultures. Through her extensive research on Haitian folklore and oral literature in Africa, she advanced scholarly understanding of the transmission of cultural knowledge and highlighted the importance of vernacular languages and oral traditions as subjects of rigorous academic inquiry.
This event seeks to recognise her intellectual legacy and enduring influence across disciplines concerned with language, cultural heritage, and the study of societies. Bringing together reflection and commemoration, the tribute offers an opportunity to revisit Comhaire-Sylvain’s work and consider its continued relevance in contemporary research.
Palace of the Academies, Bruxelles
Salle Prigogine
11 June 2026
Programme & Abstract Book (PDF)