Sharing heritage at Fiesta.Byline: Andrea Damewood The Register-Guard SPRINGFIELD - The biggest lesson 7-year-old Tony Diaz said he learned Saturday at Fiesta Latina: "You have to focus when you're hitting a pinata." His mother, Lori, and father, Benito, rolled their eyes and laughed. But they knew that Tony and his sister Elena, 8, were really taking away much more than candy acquisition techniques from the annual festival devoted to celebrating Latin America Latin America, the Spanish-speaking, Portuguese-speaking, and French-speaking countries (except Canada) of North America, South America, Central America, and the West Indies. . They come every year, Lori said, because her children get little chance elsewhere to learn about their father's Mexican heritage. "They don't learn any (Mexican culture) in their school," she said. "This gives them a little pride to be part Latino, and helps them understand their culture." And that, organizers say, is the point of Fiesta Latina, which ended its 17th annual run on Saturday. "The children who grow up here, they're missing that part of their culture," event chairwoman Rebeca Urhausen said. "It gives a positive identity." Whatever their backgrounds, she said, it's wonderful seeing people come to Island Park and explore the art exhibits - which this year included a full-size replica of Diego Rivera's 1947 mural "Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in the Alameda" - along with the music and food. "Everyone gets together," Urhausen said. "They dance together, they eat together; it's beautiful." Sarah Cantril of Eugene, who works with Latino families at a local nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. , said she wanted to bring her children, Leland, 10, and Elana, 7, to help them learn multiculturalism. "It's really to support the Latino-owned businesses, community and a different culture," Cantril said as the three polished off a bowl of arroz con leche Arroz con leche, or "rice with milk" in English, is a popular dessert. Many countries have their own versions. It closely resembles rice pudding. Arroz con leche is made of rice and milk, sweetened and boiled down until the rice is tender and the milk is thick. , a rice milk pudding milk pudding Noun a pudding made by cooking milk with a grain, esp. rice with cinnamon. For those who have moved permanently to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. from Latin American nations, Fiesta Latina also provides a return to their roots, Urhausen said. People from the same small hometown will bump into one another. Friends who haven't seen each other in years meet in line at La Cocina, the festival's food court. "You just smell the posole po·so·le n. 1. Kernels of corn that have been soaked in lime water, hulled, and dried. 2. A stew or soup made with posole, pork, chili, and other seasonings. , and that brings a lot of good memories," said volunteer Silvia Breeden, who moved to the United States in 1981. "We see our friends, we see our families come together." The event helps shatter shat·ter v. shat·tered, shat·ter·ing, shat·ters v.tr. 1. To cause to break or burst suddenly into pieces, as with a violent blow. 2. a. negative images some people may hold about people from Mexico and Latin nations, said Elizabeth Sampedro, board member of Eugene multicultural center Amigos AMIGOS Advanced Mobile Integration in General Operating Systems . Immigration immigration, entrance of a person (an alien) into a new country for the purpose of establishing permanent residence. Motives for immigration, like those for migration generally, are often economic, although religious or political factors may be very important. remains a hot topic, and Latinos feel the heat of the debate, she said, as racism and unfair treatment remain a daily reality for many. "(Fiesta Latina) has really been strengthening," Sampedro said. "It gives us a chance to feel like we're OK here. It's great that we can be the center of attention in a good way." |
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