As in previous years in the New England area the time has come for the different countries representing the waves of immigrants that have arrived to this northern region to celebrate their traditional festivals. These festivals are anxiously expected, not only by the Hispanics but, due to its popularity, people of many nationalities mingle with the Latino crowds to celebrate.

It’s an excellent opportunity to experience the exotic culture of the Caribbean and the Central and South American countries, enjoy their live music, taste typical food from each country and meet beautiful and friendly people.

The festivals take place in different dates, according the country’s historical anniversaries, but they all happen during the warm months of the season.

The most important quality of the festivals is the pride the Hispanic people display while showing off their culture, sharing their traditions, and exposing their ethnic peculiarities.

The anniversaries of transcendental dates in which each country obtained its independence, created its constitution, or began to shape its identity as a free nation is the main motive of the festivals that take place everywhere in New England.

It’s impossible to stay indifferent before a demonstration of joy as authentic as it is representative of what every Hispanic country has to offer to the world.

The events that occur in the different cities where the festivals are celebrated are a sample of diverse aspects of the Hispanic culture. The participants offer to the observers a real and palpable depiction of the joy that can be experimented when, in a foreign country, one celebrates the freedom acquired in the native land. Nothing unites a people as sharing elements of their civilization while staying away from the motherland.

This is why every year the Hispanic people of New England dress up around these dates to revive their traditions, rejoice in what they are and let others hear them in a special way.

The geography that brings the Hispanic countries together, from Mexico to Argentina, separates them when they are in North America. This is why these festivals, where the characteristics of each country are brought to the surface and the people come closer together, hold hands and share fraternal warmth, carry such significance.

From the moment the country’s flag is placed in City Hall to initiate the celebration of the corresponding country the heart of their fellow countrymen starts to beat faster.

It’s a duty that in larger or smaller scale, according to the each nation, involves the diplomatic representation of that country, the businessmen, the artists, and everybody else.

For the Hispanic communities who have been in New England longer this experience has replicated itself for decades. Every year more regions are represented and with each passing year the attendance of the public is more numerous. From Massachusetts, Boston and its neighborhoods, East Boston, Chelsea and Lynn to cities like Lawrence and Worcester. Also New Haven in Connecticut, and Providence in Rhode Island, plus Manchester and Nashua in New Hampshire. The vibrations have already begun everywhere this year.

And besides the larger festivals there are smaller, less pompous celebrations within the communities where the native country is remembered and the significant anniversaries are celebrated with less noise but identical quality and enthusiasm.

And while the sound of the music continues and the spectators gather to admire the Latino traditions and folklore, the echo of Hispanic voices extend itself as if wanting to reach the native land to express in a whisper: Dear country of mine, how much I miss you!