The aroma of meat being grilled, the sight of handcrafted artifacts, the sounds of a cumbia or a marinera norteña and the vibrant yellow, blue and red of the Colombian flag or the red and white of the Peruvian flag were proudly on display this past weekend in Queens in celebration of the independence of Colombia and Peru.
Both in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, where for the past 25 years the Colombian Civic Center has hosted the Colombian Independence Day Festival, and at the Dutch Kills playground in Astoria, where the International Peruvian Fair in celebration of independence has been held for the past four years, immigrants and their American-born children listened to music, danced, ate, and took in the folklore of these two Andean nations.
Both nations won their independence from Spain – Colombia on July 20, 1810 and Peru on July 28, 1821.
“This festival is a way to feel a little closer to Colombia because you celebrate with others,” said Malena Silva, 20, who was born in the United States but whose parents hail from Bogota, the capital of Colombia. She attended the festival this year with her cousin and her sister. “We’ve had a great time and we like the variety of the music coming from the stage.”
Similarly, Rego Park resident Omar Florez, 22, expressed a sense of pride towards his parent’s homeland Colombia.
“It’s nice to know where you come from and that you belong somewhere,” said Florez.
Peruvian Marisol Trutillo, a resident of Corona, said she was happy that she attended the fair.
“This event gives us the opportunity to cultivate the customs of our country,” she said.
And for the first time this year, the dance troupe “Peruvian Talent” came from New Jersey to perform. Nine-year-old Constantino Miraval said that he likes folk Peruvian dances.
“It’s my homeland and I like to know about my culture,” he said.
Though the crowds were smaller this year, particularly at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and festival-goers all had varying opinions why, including less well-known musical acts, less advertising, a greater police crackdown on alcohol, and the bad economy – Florez said that none of these were any excuse to miss out.
“You don’t have to come here to spend money,” he said. “Just come and wear your colors and have a good time.”
