Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño (National Afro-Caribbean Festival) is an annual cultural celebration held at Ángel "Cuqui" Mangual baseball field[8][9] in the La Cuarta neighborhood of
Barrio Capitanejo in
Ponce, Puerto Rico. The celebration, which commonly lasts three days, takes place in late June. It has been called "a world-class" event that brings together "the best exponents of salsa, bomba, plena and merengue music".[10] It is attended by some 30,000 people.[11] The festival's purpose is to positively impact the region by creating a cultural space to help preserve traditions.[12] It aims to highlight the contributions to Puerto Rico culture and society by Puerto Ricans of African heritage. The festivities are highlighted by bands playing
salsa,
bomba and
plena music.[13]
History
The festival was organized in the late 1990s to counter raising criminal activity in the community of La Cuarta, and to help improve the self-esteem of its residents. "From those humble beginnings" the community "is now a place that smells like tradition."[14] The community of "La Cuarta" is located at the border between Ponce and
Juana Diaz. It was founded in the early 20th century next to a sugar cane mill that is now extinct.[15]
Contents and purpose
Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño is organized and held by Comité Pro Nuestra Cultura.[16] Its leader is Ángel 'Papote' Alvarado Aguilera. Over 20 artists participate during the event's three days' duration.[17] The event's purpose is to promote the Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Caribbean roots of the Puerto Rican people while contributing to the educational and social of growth of the community.[18] Another objective is to "break the social stigma that exists against underpriviledged communities."[19]
The event is free to the public, but a voluntary donation of $1 is encouraged.[27] The entity that organizes the event used to receive a contribution from the Ponce and Juana Diaz municipal governments but, as of 2017, such allowances were halted due to the financial crisis those governments were experiencing.[28] The 2016, and last, contribution form the Ponce Municipal Government was 5% of the total cost of the event.[29]
List of events
A typical music lineup is as follows (this was the music lineup for the 2017 event):[30]
Friday:
8:00 p.m.: Secreto a Voces
9:00 p.m.: Tego Calderón
11:00 pm.: Plenéalo
Saturday:
8:30 p.m.: Bomba Evolución
9:30 p.m.: Homenage to Giovanni Hidalgo y José Mañengue Hidalgo