Loisaida Cultural Festival Takes Over Lower East Side in 36th Edition

Loisaida avenue was transformed into a great party this Sunday with the 36th edition of the Loisaida Cultural Festival.

Robert Pérez, attendee of the event comments:

“I have been here for almost 40 years, this gives me thanks and love and everything for the people who are growing up here.”

The gathering is produced by Loisaida Inc., one of the oldest Latino non-profit organizations on the Lower East Side.

Its opening included an artistic parade that went down 5th Street to 12th Street, led by Batalá, an Afro-Brazilian reggae group and

both, made up of women.

“Batalá is a family of powerful and talented women and we are very happy to be here participating in this beautiful event and bringing music to the entire New York community,” says Carolina Rodríguez.

There was also a Puerto Rican plena and bomba, the inevitable salsa, as well as different urban genres on the main stage, located on 12th Street.

The festival offered theater samples in the community gardens, performed by children and young people, typical food from several Latin American countries and an entire street dedicated to handicrafts.

The organizers tell us that this meeting was born 36 years ago with the purpose of giving the residents of the neighborhood a multicultural task, especially during the weekend of celebration for Memorial Day.

Alejandro Epifanio Torres, Artistic and Executive Director Loisaida Inc. Center explains:

“It is extremely important for our culture and our Latino heritage to continue this tradition because on many occasions, on this long weekend, many of our families do not have the opportunity to leave the city.”

“The festival is exactly what it represents: reclaiming the space that has been ours for so long, bringing art, bringing culture, bringing non-profit organizations that can bring services to the community. We also have sandungueros, we dance, we jump, we enjoy and it is to bring the feeling that we are still a community and that is what we celebrate today ”., He adds.