a gastronomic festival of Peruvians in Washington

As every year since 2013, the capital of the United States, Washington DC, was dyed red and white, the colors of the Peruvian flag. The reason? The “Taste of Peru” gastronomy festival, a cultural event organized by the diaspora of that nation that refuses to forget its roots.

Music, exquisite food and handicrafts were the ingredients of the event that brought together dozens of Peruvians residing in the United States, who together with their children and friends from other countries took advantage of the warm Sunday to enjoy the culture of the South American country in the Washington metropolitan area. .

The festival is organized every year by Carrion Productions, directed by Nelly Carrión, director of the Washington Hispanicthe Spanish-language newspaper with the largest circulation in the US capital.

“It is a joy and satisfaction to have held this event after the pandemic. Peruvians needed a space to enjoy with the family and enjoy the rich Peruvian cuisine,” Nelly Carrión told the Voice of America.

The hostess of this party said that this year she had “special guests”, referring to renowned chefs such as Julio Cesar Távara and Don Pedrito, among others.

About what makes Nelly Carrión organize this event since 2013, she told the VOA: “I think the great motivation is the great nostalgia that one feels when one emigrates to this country.”

“It is something great to be able to show the cultural and artistic wealth of Peru. I want to share the joy that I have of being Peruvian with the whole world,” she said excitedly.

For Peruvians, this culinary exhibition that also brings pisco, its beer and its colorful crafts is very rejoicing.

This festival is also for children, among them the children of Peruvians who emigrated, and who find in it a way for their descendants to connect with the culture of their grandparents.

Among the exhibitors was Héctor Zarate, owner of Toro Mata, a business dedicated to the sale of home furnishings, decoration accessories, sterling silver jewelry, alpaca clothing, and works of art imported directly from Peru’s master artisans.

The items sold by Zarate are handmade, for which the producers use only natural materials and methods that have been passed down from generation to generation.

Evelyn Brook is one of the largest diffusers in Washington of the huayruro, a spherical fruit of this tree that is red in color with a black dot, and is used to make necklaces, earrings, and ornaments.

AnneMarie Ochoa, children’s book author My first Scarf [Mi Primer Pañuelo], in which he talks about the meaning of the use of the handkerchief in one of the most traditional typical dances: the Peruvian sailor. This is a couple dance and best known on the coast of Peru. This dance comes from the Aragonese jota and the Peruvian zamacueca. Its existence is a sample of the miscegenation between the Hispanic, indigenous and African cultures.

Carlos Ramírez is known for his Chancho al Palo, one of the Peruvian stews, directly from Mala, Lima, Peru.

This Peruvian party already has its next invitation for 2024. Meanwhile, flavor, music and popular art was an oasis this Sunday for those who long for their culture in these parts.

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