Hundreds of attendees made their way to Waryas Park in Poughkeepsie, New York for the 15th annual La Guelaguetza celebration! The 2022 La Guelaguetza festivities took place on August 14, 2022, and displayed Oaxacan history, food and music with the community. (The previous two celebrations were canceled due to the Pandemic)
Photo Caption: Corn Goddess "Centeotl" of the La Guelaguetza celebration (Lidia Espinoda Sorinao) on August 14, 2022, in Poughkeepsie, New York / Credit: Nile Clarke of The Goodie Drop
In the middle of the park, a beautiful table setting was arranged where the Corn Goddess of the Festival which is also known as 'Centeotl' presided over festivities. Lidia Espinoda Sorinao was chosen to represent the Goddess this year. The center stage was filled with musical performances during La Guelaguetza. The show focused on Oaxacan customs and folklore. Dancers were dressed in vibrant garments. The Goodie Drop spoke to a few of the performers at the show. One of the singers Selines Ruiz, shared the translation of the song title, "The song, "La Llorona" means the weeping woman and it's a very traditional song, everyone that always sings it, dedicates it to Oaxaca!"
Photo Caption: Singer Selines Ruiz after performing "La Llorona" at the 15th annual La Guelaguetza event in Poughkeepsie, New York. / Credit: Nile Clarke of The Goodie Drop
In another traditional dance, performers were 'walking on stilts' or 'caminando sobre zancos'. According to the stilt coordinator and dancer Cristobal Chacon, the dancing on 'stilts' or 'zancos' are specific to one geographical location of the Oaxacan culture from an area called Zaachila. Chacon also keeps the tradition of the stilts alive with her family by teaching and dancing with her children Naishaloy and Alexander Chacon at Oaxacan festivals like this!
Photo Caption: Stilt coordinator and dancer Cristobal Chacon with her children Naishaloy and Alexander Chacon at the 15th annual La Guelaguetza event in Poughkeepsie, New York. Credit: Nile Clarke of The Goodie Drop
Photo Caption: Stilt coordinator Cristobal Chacon and stilt dancers at the 15th annual La Guelaguetza event in Poughkeepsie, New York. Credit: Nile Clarke of The Goodie Drop
Photo Caption: Men performing a traditional dance to "La Llorona" at the 15th annual La Guelaguetza event in Poughkeepsie, New York. Credit: Nile Clarke of The Goodie Drop
Photo Caption: Attendees and vendors enjoying the sights and sounds at the 15th annual La Guelaguetza event in Poughkeepsie, New York. Credit: Nile Clarke of The Goodie Drop
Every year the event is put together with the help of many non-profit organizations and volunteers. The Guelaguetza organization committee wrote a special thank you note on the program to the dancers of the Grupo Folclorico de Poughkeepsie for their continued hard work and dedication.
La Guelaguetza 2022
“From the Zapotec indigenous word means sharing and that is the spirit of the festival.” - La Guelaguetza Program
For more information about the Poughkeepsie 15th annual La Guelaguetza festival visit facebook.com/pokguelaguetza
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