English

Celebrating diversity and inclusion in Aurora

Photo/ El Comercio de Colorado

GLOBAL FEST 2022

Sofía Márquez / El Comercio de Colorado

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Thousands of people poured into the large lawn in front of the Aurora City Building for a colorful and multicultural celebration. This eighth edition of the Global Fest meant the return of this event in person after a mandatory two year break due to the pandemic. The families that came to the garden were able to enjoy dances and live music, as well as a great variety of cuisines.

In my first time at the Global Fest, I could feel how innumerable immigrant communities contribute to the diversity of Aurora. In a single day, I heard and saw the presentation of artistic groups rooted in all the continents of the planet. I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of the dance companies Folklorico Sangre de México, Perú Qwasa, The Arts and Culture of Indonesia (ARCUNDA) and the Au Malama Polynesia Dance Arts.

Inclusion and integration

I saw how the members of the Gloria African Choir felt pride in their identity. That same emotion was reflected by all those who carried the flags of their country dressed in the typical costume of their culture. I was infected by the joy that the African instrumentalists of the Yoruba Ni Colorado exuded. And I joined in solidarity with the cause of the young women from Tigray, in the north of Ethiopia, who denounced the genocide against their people through song and dance.

I had an intense and rewarding experience in my neighborhood, the city of Aurora. In addition, I understood how this community becomes strong precisely because it is so diverse. And I was able to conclude that coexistence is not only possible. There is already a path traveled in terms of inclusion and integration. I will return to the Global Fest to continue discovering the world at the hands of my neighbors.