Representatives of Latin American countries around the world gathered near the Colonnade Monday to share their foods, arts and culture in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 that gives recognition to the many contributions Hispanic and Latino communities and individuals have made to the history and culture of the United States. This includes important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods and much more, according to the National Museum of the American Latino.
The “All Around the World” event was a vibrant celebration with music, dancing, art and food. Maracas, papel picado and paper piñatas were a few of many crafts for attendees at the event.
Attendees received a “passport” and were entered in a raffle when they first arrived. After every country marked the “passport,” attendees could then trade it in for an arrangement of free Latin American foods and drinks.
HOLAS President Michelle Ramos, a senior public health major, helped run the event. Ramos said this event grows “more and more” every year.
“It also shows the students of Western everything our organization offers,” Ramos said.
Ramos said every country in Latin America is different, each having its own slang, food, currency, flag and much more. One goal of this event is to make attendees more aware of the many different countries and cultures in Latin America, Ramos said.
Ramos said she encourages people to attend future HOLAS events throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.
Vice President of HOLAS Paola Garcia, a junior graphic design major, helped prepare and serve homemade Latin American dishes made by HOLAS members at the event.
Garcia said they had brisket, chicken, rice, rice pudding, cake, chips and queso, flan and refreshments like creamy horchata and sweet, hibiscus flavored jamaica for attendees to try.
Each table had representatives from Latin American countries who gave information and answered questions. Each country had its own food or craft for attendees to take part in.
Juliana Vargas, sophomore finance major, handed out empanadas while representing Bolivia at the event. Vargas had empanadas with cheese and chili fillings, along with apple juice paired with quinoa.
“I think people can see and learn a little bit about what Latin America is all about and learn from these different cultures,” Vargas said.
Martha Castro, a sophomore political science major, represented Puerto Rico at the event. Castro had Luchador wrestling masks that attendees could color.
Castro said this was her first time participating in the event. She said it was a lot of fun and that more people should come out.
“Get involved,” Castro said. “See other members of the school and other clubs that may not be that well known.”
Raíces de mi Tierra, a Nashville Mexican folklore dance group, performed at the end of the event as attendees ate food. The raffle tickets were also drawn near the end of the event, and two attendees went home with prize baskets.
Karisha Petty, junior public relations major, said she attended the event since she is a member of the Black Student Union. Petty said BSA tries to support fellow organizations like HOLAS whenever possible.
Petty said she has gone to this event for the past three years and enjoys it every time. Mexico was her favorite table at the event.
“I love just looking at the posters and learning about each and every culture,” Petty said. “I feel like a lot of times you don’t see that around campus, so to have an event catered to that is really cool and really good to see.”
