PRSUN Heads to CT for Three Kings Exhibit

I plan to go to Bridgeport, Connecticut this weekend to take part in the Three Kings exhibit. I plan to exhibit my photography as well as promote Puerto Rico Sun Communications, a community-minded independent multimedia social entrepreneurship.
The exhibit, which was postponed from last weekend because of bad weather, will be held on Saturday, January 17.
The Puerto Rican Parade of Fairfield County is organizing the event, which will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Chase Wellness Center, 1071 East Main St.
I was invited to exhibit my work by the organization’s president, Diana Calderon Torres, a new member of our Puerto Rico Sun social network. She says they have about 22 artists and craftspeople lined up for the event.
If you go, make sure to stop by my table.

Community calendar

Al-Juriya
English/Spanish film...Puerto Ricans witness the occupation of Palestine
In light of the events in the Middle East, Cemi Underground presents this film.
3 p.m., Saturday, January 17
Cemi Underground, NYC's El Barrio

Suggested donation: $5
For more information, go to www.cemiunderground.com.

Community calendar

"Pregones Theater Music Emsemble" to perform in NYC's El Barrio

'Theater Music, Afro Caribbean Music, Spiritual Music' performance
Camaradas El Barrio in East Harlem
9:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 14

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=48706237031

IMG_0425

IMG_0425
Originally uploaded by Silvered Capture.

Today's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Silvered Capture.

Stairs

Stairs
Originally uploaded by kikepic.

@ Mt Britton, El Yunque, PR

Today's featured image from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by kikepic.

My mom prepares pasteles

9 of 365: My mom prepares pasteles
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

Christmas may be over, but for many boricuas the celebration is not over. They celebrate las Octavitas.

Feliz Octavitas.

Three Kings celebration in El Barrio with a Mexican twist

Q&A with El Museo del Barrio's Gabriel Higuera

038
Originally uploaded by prsuncom

Gabriel Higuera is of Mexican and Cuban heritage, lives in Brooklyn and works at El Museo del Barrio in East Harlem as the coordinator of public programs. He describes himself as a writer, educator and organizer. Today his play inspired by the Mexican tradition of pastorelas will debut at the museum’s Heckscher Theater.
Set in East Harlem, the shepherd in the theater play is replaced by a tour guide, leading a flock of visitors through an entertaining and informative journey through the history and sites of the neighborhood. Some surprises are revealed as the tour winds to a close.
The theater play is part of the museum’s Three Kings Day celebration today, which will also include live parrandas with Eddie Alicea y Su Trio de Epoca. Admission is free, but space is limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis. The event runs from 3 to 5 p.m.



I recently met up with Gabriel Higuera for a Q &A.

Q: Tell me about your play and does it focus on the Mexican community here in East Harlem or is it broader than that?
A. The play is about a tour group walking through El Barrio. This is interesting because so many times, people forget the beauty under their feet. They ask: “Why would someone take a tour of my barrio?” This play will tell you why. The history and cultural production of East Harlem has a worldwide audience, and it is important that the audience understands and appreciates that. The play is in the pastorela format celebrating a neighborhood, which since the 1950’s, has been largely Puerto Rican.

Q: You work in a respected cultural institution founded by the Puerto Rican community and which is more diverse today. You walk daily in the community. Do you see conflicts in the community?
A: I am honored to work for El Museo del Barrio. I feel a strong connection to the roots of the institution. I know what it is like to grow up Latino in a city where my history is not taught, not understood or appreciated. East Harlem is richer for having El Museo, the Julia de Burgos Cultural Center and many other organizations dedicated to preserving and promoting Puerto Rican and Latina/o history and culture. The only conflicts I have encountered in fulfilling the mission of El Museo that are merely budgetary.

Q: Going back to the play, will it show some of the hardships that Latinos in the community go through every day and will there be some cultural elements included in the play?
A. In the play, there is a focus on the poetry of East Harlem. This poetry often speaks of the hardships as well as the beauty of this area. Through poetry, I make connections with other cultural groups who are facing the same issues: identity politics, economics…

Q: Will the play include political issues such as immigration and housing?
A: Keep in mind that this is a holiday play. Through the use of projected images, some of the themes you mention will be gently touched upon, serving as food for thought. – Ismael Nunez

(photo courtesy of Gabriel Higuera)

Taking a stroll in El Barrio

IMG_2890
Originally uploaded by clarisel.

El Barrio means...

NYC's El Barrio is decorated with signs like this, promoting leaders in the world of arts, politics, culture and other areas. The leaders featured are diverse, but there are several that highlight prominent boricuas.

Here's one featuring El Maestro.

Take a stroll and check it out.

Featured story

PR gov declares fiscal emergency, spending cut

Puerto Rico's new governor Luis Fortuno on Thursday declared a fiscal emergency because of the U.S. Caribbean island's darkening budget forecasts and a towering deficit of $3.2 billion.
For the complete AP report, go to this link
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/01/08/ap5898360.html

Join the Puerto Rico Sun social networks

If you are on Facebook, you are invited to join the Puerto Rico Sun group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45460607050.

Or, join the Puerto Rico Sun social network at www.puertoricosun.ning.com or http://www.puertoricosuncom.

Stay connected.

See you there.

Bosque Susua @ Sabana Grande

Bosque Susua @ Sabana Grande
Originally uploaded by Lacaos.

Tonight's featured shot from the Puerto Rico Sun photo group is by Lacaos.

So I was taught -- Poem by Mia Hernandez

So I was taught that my Island is beautiful
Rich in culture, its food and music full of life and fire

That we have waterfalls, rainforests, mango and platano trees…ah, and the coqui

That we are a unique people
Proud and strong
Full of fight
Brave warriors

That our island is only 100 miles long and 40 miles wide of…beauty

So I was taught

I remember running through the dirt roads and backyards of family members as I vacation each and every summer

I remember the aroma of Abuelitas cafecito
The aroma that would pull me by my nose and drag me into the house
For a taste of its richness

Mmmmmmmmmmm, café yaucono con leche

I remember her yuca, yautia, malanga and bacalao dishes made with love and delicately put together con un poguito de arroz blanco y tocino

I remember running free
Arms stretched out
The sun shining in my face
Sitting under a palm tree
Swinging in a maca

Just free

So I thought I was taught

That this was mine
It was for me
Because after all I am a Boricua and this is where my family is
My island, my home
All 100 miles long and 40 miles wide

So I thought

It belonged to my Abuelita and Abuelito that worked so hard for it, planting and painting and sowing and cutting and building and working

And……

I learned that all this time I was a squatter on my own Island

I learned about Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Christopher Columbus and his three little ships
But I never studied anything about Betances, Jose de Diego or Julia de Burgos

Never even heard of Pedro Albizu Campos

I ran through the dirt roads of Puerto Rico
Lay on the hammock and chased lizards
Thinking it was all mine...for me
Thinking that this must be paradise because this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen

I was taught and I believed
Could I possibly be?
A victim of psychological propaganda?
Me?

I learned that we are NOT allowed to govern ourselves,
We are NOT allowed to decide for ourselves,
We are NOT allowed to protect our own interests

I learned that I was NOT allowed because I was subservient to the interests of the country that dominates me.

I was not taught to be politically independent

I was taught that if Puerto Rico were to be independent
We as a people would starve and eventually sink right into the middle of the ocean

I am afraid
Afraid they will buy up all the land
Tear down my Abuelitas house
Knock down all the trees
Take over all the mountains
With No where for us to go we are …dumped, rushed and pushed out

I am afraid as I look at the experience of the Native Indians in this country
and fear the same happening to me

So I learned

I learned that when one is faced with oppression, colonial subjugation and inhumanity
One must resist…or perish as a people …Just to be FREE!!!!


© Mia Roman Hernandez 2008

This poem was republished with writer's permission.

Flags will be Flown at Half-Staff Friday in honor of Bronx Hero

New York Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings across New York be flown at half-staff on Friday, January 9, in honor of Bronx resident and United States Marine Lance Corporal Alberto Francesconi, who died January 1, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Francesconi, a boricua, was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division of the II Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp LeJuene, North Carolina. He died while supporting combat operations in Afghanistan.

“On behalf of all New Yorkers, I wish to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow Marines of Lance Corporal Francesconi,” states Paterson. “Lance Corporal Francesconi’s service to the United State of America will be honored and valued forever.”

Paterson has directed the flags on all State buildings to be lowered to half-staff in honor and tribute to our state’s soldiers who are killed in action.

source: press release