The 41st Latin American& Caribbean Festival was held on Saturday, September 23, 2023, from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the University of Pittsburgh. Though the day started with an overcast sky, there was no rain forecast for the day. However, fall in Pittsburgh defies all meteorological predictions, and we were graced with a consistent drizzle throughout the afternoon. Faced with the issue of moving over 80 arts and crafts, and informational tables inside, our incredible vendors, volunteers and community partners all worked as one to relocate inside in less than 30 minutes! Not even a rainy chilly day could ruin this celebration!
Dr. Keila Grinberg, CLAS Director remarked in her welcome speech, “For many, Latin America is synonymous with good food, good music, good dance, exactly what you are seeing here. But of course Latin America is not only that; for so many of us, joy is how we fight our adversities, joy is how we fight the huge inequalities that we face in our everyday lives, joy is the way we side with the workers, with the groups that were silenced and invisibilized over the centuries, such as the Indigenous, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities. If our reality is not always pretty, our answer is to celebrate life. We gather here to celebrate life, we are celebrating that we are alive, and we are honoring the lives of those who came before us.”
Dr. Grinberg succinctly summarized the mission of the Festival - to showcase the cultures of the Americas, and we will continue to do so. As long-time vendor, Lisa Nutini, Mexico Lindo Mercado y Galeria de Artesanias owner, said: “our cultures are so large and wonderful, we need every month to celebrate them!”
We would like to thank all of the vendors, sponsors, DJ, MCs, volunteers, Pitt staff, faculty, and students, and the community for making this annual event possible. This event would not be a success without all of you. Thank you, muchas gracias, muito obrigado!
