LOS ANGELES — As part of the kick-off events for Latine Heritage Month in Los Angeles, The Central American Federation (COFECA) hosted its 37th annual “Festival de la Independencia de Centroamérica” commemorating September 15, the Independence Day of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
The festivities took place at MacArthur Park in Westlake, a neighborhood known for its historically Central American population, whose presence has been significant for decades. Pulling from data via the U.S. Census Bureau, the Migration Policy Institute placed Los Angeles County as “The top five counties for Central Americans” between 2017 and 2021.
The event featured live music, cultural food stands and various vendors selling traditional items from their home countries. Among the vendors was Marina Gutierrez Pineda, a longtime attendee and owner of the festival’s largest food stand.
“Aquí (Los Angeles) el centroamericano reina, y por eso estamos aquí, porque no nos olvidamos de nuestras raíces, de nuestra patria, de nuestro lugar de origen que nos vio nacer y nos vio partir a este gran país,” Pineda said. [Here (Los Angeles), Central Americans reign, and that is why we are here, because we do not forget our roots, our homeland, our place of origin that saw us be born and saw us leave for this great country.]
Despite Pineda being born in Guerrero, Mexico, she identifies strongly with the Salvadoran people; a self-proclaimed “Salvadoreña.” Upon immigrating to Los Angeles, Pineda received love and acceptance from the Salvadoran community, prompting her to advocate for Central Americans and participate in their cultural events.
“Es importante sostener el cariño y las raíces de cada uno de nosotros para no olvidarnos, ya que llegamos a este país a ser pilares de este país... Desafortunadamente podemos venir de muchas maneras, pero muchos no podemos regresar… Tener este evento aquí es magnífico porque nos están trayendo nuestras raíces de nuestros lugares de origen a celebrarlo,” Pineda added. [It is important to sustain the affection and the roots of each one of us so that we do not forget, since we came to this country to be pillars of this country... Unfortunately, many of us cannot return...Having this event here is magnificent because it brings our roots from our places of origin to celebrate them.]
Pineda’s story shows how cultural identity is often formed by bonds and not necessarily national origin.
Nicaraguan vendor Rene Harquin, a longtime contributor to the Festival Centroamericano, elaborated on the value of cultural solidarity and connection throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.
“[El mes de la herencia hispana] es un momento muy oportuno, porque es cuando, los Latinos, los Hispanos podemos sentirnos cerca, unirnos y conocer las situaciones, las circunstancias y los problemas que el latino pasa,” said Harquin. [[Hispanic Heritage Month] is a very opportune moment, because it’s when Latinos, Hispanics can feel close, unite, and learn about the situations, circumstances and problems that Latinos face.]
Solidarity is deeply rooted in Latino history, and through diaspora, a vital part of the Latino experience in the United States.
Founded in 1987 in Los Angeles, COFECA was established during a time when several Central American countries faced civil wars and U.S. military intervention. The organization was formed in response to growing anti-war protests in the local community. The month of September, Hispanic Heritage Month, was chosen as a historical reference to rally support from the American public. In recent years, COFECA has grown to become a cultural organization, integral to the Central American community in Los Angeles, instilling a sense of cultural pride.
“La importancia es que tenemos presencia en la ciudad para todo el mundo y sembramos una semilla en los niños…que nosotros tenemos una raíces importantes y que tenemos que seguir adelante, enseñando nuestra rica cultura Centroamericana,” said Benjamin Posada, the current president of COFECA. [The importance is that we have a presence in the city for the whole world and we plant a seed in the children… that we have important roots and that we have to move forward, teaching our rich Central American culture.]
Posada spoke about the organization’s future plans, including the legacy and impact he hopes to leave behind.
“Mi esperanza es que más adelante ustedes, los jóvenes los que están en mi puesto y esos más grandes, y los más orgullosos que los políticos vean que nosotros somos muy importantes dentro de la comunidad,” [”My hope is that down the road you young people who are in my position and those older and prouder that the politicians will see that we are very important within the community,]
Many of the festival’s acts are curated and performed by young people, a dream come true for Posada and COFECA. Their efforts to encourage youth participation and cultural expression came to life through the artistic mediums of Central America. Genesis Abigail Madrid, a member of a folkloric Honduran dance group performed at the event, and elaborated on the importance of youth participation in these events.
“Es importante que estemos aquí porque somos el futuro de nuestro país, para tener un un mejor futuro…para las nueva generación de nuestro país,” [It is important that we are here because we are the future of our country, to have a better future...for the new generation of our country.]
As Hispanic Heritage month continues, COFECA will organize events catered to the Central American diaspora of L.A., staying true to their mission of instilling culture, advocacy and representation for future generations.
For more information on COFECA and their events visit: https://cofeca.org/