About Puerto Rican Celebrations & Festivals

Puerto Rican celebrations and festivals are often considered to be a semi Spanish approach to festivities familiar in the United States. This discounts almost completely the depth of Puerto Rican culture and the wealth of local customs and traditions that are still going strong, even after decades of modernization. Puerto Rico is an intriguing mix of cultures and religious backgrounds, yet it has managed to integrate the majority of them into a harmonious mix of celebrations that invite locals as well as visitors to participate.

Geography

Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. It is located in the Caribbean and actually consists of a group of islands. Some of these islands are little more than cays, while others are densely populated land masses. About 80 percent of the population consists of residents with roots in France, Italy, Spain and Corsica. A lesser percentage is comprised of those with African roots. This has led to an interesting mix of religions, cultures and subsequent Puerto Rican celebrations and festivals.

Significance

Since Puerto Rico is part of the United States territories, it does observe the American national holidays. Combining a heavily Catholic heritage and current faith culture with modern life has led to individual cities scheduling their own patron saint festivals--fiestas patronales---honoring an array of Spanish and Latin American saints, as well as saints associated with healing or professions. The most important saint celebrated in Puerto Rico is John the Baptist. His feast day is June 23rd and the festival in his honor is called Día de San Juan Bautista. Authentic Puerto Rican celebrations take place with beach parties and bonfires.

Effects

The eve of Epiphany, a celebration held on January 5th by devout Catholics in the United States, has been transformed into a much celebrated event for children in Puerto Rico. Called the Visit of the Three Wise Kings--víspera de los tres reyes magos---children celebrate the occasion by preparing a meal of grass for the wise men's camels and leaving glasses of water for the wise men themselves. The next day, on Epiphany, a little something is often found under the children's pillows. These beloved traditions are beginning to find their ways into the United States as Puerto Ricans introduce visitors to their festivals and celebrations.

Types

Puerto Rican celebrations and festivals do not only honor the territory's history, religious heritage and achievements, but also pay homage to some of its most famous residents. For example, the Casals Festival is an annual favorite in San Juan. It is devoted to the great Spanish cellist Pablo Casals who came to live and work in Puerto Rico after fleeing from Francisco Franco. It is interesting to note that the musician himself agreed to start the festival in an effort to bring tourism to Puerto Rico, but now---35 years after his death---the Casals Festival is still going strong. The Casals Festival (see Resources) takes place during February and March.

Potential

One of the greatest Puerto Rican festivals actually takes place in New York. It is the Puerto Rican Day Parade that snakes its way along 5th Avenue from 44th Street all the way to 86th Street. The date is set for the second Sunday of June, and since 1958 it has been a staple of New York City festivals. From this success, a movement is underfoot to turn the New York celebration into a National Puerto Rican Day Parade (see Resources).

Resources

• Check out the Casals Festival site at FestCasalsPR.Gobierno.pr.
• Visit the NationalPuertoRicanDayParade.org site for information on this festival.