NEW YORK.- Rain accompanied the New York Hispanic Parade this Sunday, in which the traditions, music and typical costumes of Spain and twenty Latin American countries once again walked down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue.
The 62nd edition of the parade brought together folk dances, traditional clothing and other cultural expressions, among which the Moors and Christians of Orihuela (Alicante) stood out, who brought nearly a hundred revelers to the Big Apple to publicize this Levantine tradition.
Another of the Spanish festive expressions present was the Burial of the Murcia Sardine, which brought to Manhattan one of the most characteristic celebrations of the Murcian festive calendar, coinciding with the 175th anniversary of this tradition.
Galicia also had a prominent role in the march, dedicated this year to Xacobeo 2027 and organized in collaboration with several entities, including Casa Galicia in New York, founded in 1940 to keep alive the link between the Galician community and its roots. The Galician representation included the folkloric group Celme, from Pontevedra.
‘Little Spain-La Nacional Way’
This year’s edition also coincided with the recognition of the history of Spanish emigration in the city: in September, New York honorably baptized the corner of 14th Street and Eighth Avenue as ‘Little Spain-La Nacional Way’, in memory of the old Spanish neighborhood of Manhattan and La Nacional, the Spanish Benevolent Society founded in 1868 and which continues to be a point of reference for this community.
Among the Latin American representations, the Barranquilla Carnival (Colombia) stood out, which brought Isabella Daes García, queen of the Children’s Carnival of 2027, to Manhattan.
Despite the rain, the parade brought these communities together again on Fifth Avenue in a celebration that is part of Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, and that recognizes the history, culture and contributions of the communities of Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean. EF
