New Haven Independent

Flechas is a New Haven-based organization that provides artistic and cultural programming about the heritage of Puerto Ricans to school children throughout Connecticut. Rosalyn Diaz, a public school teacher and Flechas volunteer, led the audience of young children and their parents at the Peabody through a discussion of the three cultures that have contributed to Puerto Rico: Ffrom the Spaniards came the language – and the institution of slavery. From the native Tainos came many of the foods still eaten, like yucca and cassava, and many of the folk instruments still played, like the flute, guiro and maracas. From the Africans came the drumming and the dance called the bomba, which is what half a dozen young girls demonstrated. They sashayed around the room holding out their wide calico skirts, the youngest among them about three years old. They danced with style and grace and pure joy. Then they invited children from the audience to come up and dance with them.

This reporter visited Loiza several years ago to deliver some things to the relatives of a Puerto Rican friend living in New Haven. It is an artist’s colony and a center of mask-making. Flechas sponsors la Fiesta de Loiza every summer in honor of St. James the Apostle. Last year was the 28th annual festival, held at Long Wharf Park.