By Anne Shifrer
City Council Member Ernesto Lopez urged us all to come out to the 5th Annual Latino Festival to stand in solidarity with Cache Valley’s Latino Community. In spite of widespread fears that the government would use the occasion to shock and awe with masks, weaponry, rough-handling and detentions without cause, the day was peaceful and glorious.
The festival provided a wonderful occasion to learn about the songs, dances, and traditional costumes from the 12 different Hispanic countries that were represented in the festival.
The only masks that we saw were those of marvelous mythic characters and gods from the Hispanic cultural repertoire. Our favorite might have been Tepeyollotl – god of animals, earthquakes, darkened caves . . . and echoes. What magic to have a god of echoes!
And take a look at the feathers!
And where else could you buy a 100% organic cotton dress from Peru, imprinted with the natural green dyes of native plants? Or a T-shirt with the Mexican eagle shaking wings with the American eagle?
Thank you, Hispanic Community, for stepping forward with such courage.
Since Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 – Oct 15, there’s still time to celebrate what the Hispanic peoples bring to the Cache Valley Community.
