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Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño facts for kids

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Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño
Afiche del Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño, Sector La Cuarta, Barrio Capitanejo, Ponce, Puerto Rico (41).jpg
A typical poster used to announce the Festival
Official name Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño de Puerto Rico
Also called Festival Afrocaribeño
Type Local, cultural
Celebrations Music, food, dancing, crafts, rides
Date Last weekend of June
Frequency Yearly
First time 1999

The Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño (National Afro-Caribbean Festival) is a big cultural party held every year in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It takes place during the last weekend of June at the Ángel "Cuqui" Mangual baseball field. For three days, the festival is filled with music, food, dancing, and fun.

This popular event brings together about 30,000 people. It's known for featuring some of the best performers of salsa, bomba, and plena music. The festival's main goal is to celebrate the important contributions of Afro-Puerto Ricans to the island's culture and history. It creates a special place where these traditions can be shared and kept alive for future generations.

The Story Behind the Festival

The festival began in 1999 in a neighborhood called La Cuarta. Community leaders wanted to create a positive event that would bring people together and build community pride. They wanted to help improve the lives of the residents and make their neighborhood a better place.

The community of La Cuarta is located on the border of Ponce and Juana Diaz. It was started in the early 1900s near a large sugar cane factory that is no longer there. Thanks to the festival, the neighborhood is now known as a place rich in cultural tradition.

What Happens at the Festival?

The festival is organized by a group called Comité Pro Nuestra Cultura (Committee for Our Culture), led by Ángel 'Papote' Alvarado Aguilera. Over the three days, more than 20 different artists and bands perform on stage.

Music and Performers

The main attraction is the music. You can hear exciting rhythms of salsa, bomba, and plena, which are all important musical styles in Puerto Rico.

Many famous musicians have performed at the festival over the years, including:

  • Tommy Olivencia and his band
  • El Gran Combo
  • La Sonora Ponceña
  • Gilberto Santa Rosa
  • Victor Manuel
  • Plena Libre

A Celebration of Culture

The festival is about more than just music. It's a way to promote and honor the Afro-Caribbean roots of Puerto Rican culture. It also aims to help the community grow by providing educational and social opportunities. Another important goal is to challenge negative ideas about communities with fewer resources and show the wonderful things they have to offer.

The event is free for everyone to attend, which makes it a true community celebration.


See also

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