{"id":121648,"date":"2023-08-19T10:00:39","date_gmt":"2023-08-19T14:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=121648"},"modified":"2023-08-20T09:55:47","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T13:55:47","slug":"annual-convening-of-the-ecuadorian-community-in-reading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=121648","title":{"rendered":"Annual Convening of the Ecuadorian Community in Reading"},"content":{"rendered":"

Featured Image: \u00a0Last year\u2019s ECUA Reading convening<\/a>, Reading children with ecuadorian descent prepared to dance<\/p>\n

Sunday
\n<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0August 20, 2023
\n<\/span><\/strong>11 AM<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

On Sunday, August 20, A group of Ecuadorian immigrants residing in Reading called \u201cECUA Reading,\u201d in an effort to build community, highlight their culture, and their contributions to Reading, Pennsylvania, will be hosting their fourth annual convening at Berks County Park, 800 Ruth Street, Reading PA 19608.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur intention is to build community, share and unite in our identity and celebrate our contributions as Reading immigrants. We hope that this year we will have the same reception as the previous year, since 400+ people came to the event last year.\u201d said Luis Vera and Rosa Cardenas, main coordinators of the event, and administrators of the\u00a0ECUA Reading Facebook group.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Numerous small business owners in Reading have sponsored this event.\u00a0So many immigrant Ecuadorians contribute greatly to Reading including musicians, artists, religious leaders and other professionals, this includes an award winning real estate agent, an American Airlines pilot, a leader of one of the most influential social justice community organizations in the state, and a motorcyclist that recently went to Ecuador with his son on motorcycle from his Reading home to Ecuador.<\/p>\n

The community and family cultural celebration at Berks County Park in Reading will include folkloric dances in Ecuadorian costumes, free Ecuadorian food, and traditional games.<\/p>\n

Order and time of activities:<\/strong><\/p>\n

11 AM\u00a0Welcome and Opening<\/p>\n

12 PM\u00a0\u00a0Community Lunch –\u00a0Ecuadorian Gastronomy\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

1:00 PM\u00a0\u00a0Cultural Program , Live Music &\u00a0Adult and Children Folkloric\u00a0 Dances<\/a><\/p>\n

2:30 PM\u00a0Traditional Games with gifts and breaking\u00a0enchanted pots<\/a><\/p>\n

4:40 PM\u00a0Ecuavoley\u00a0<\/a>Tournament<\/p>\n

6:30 PM\u00a0Awards & Closing<\/p>\n

This convening will be happening at the backdrop of the presidential election of Ecuador.\u00a0Ecuador is going through a period of violence and insecurity where the country is dominated by narco politics, recent data is showing that\u00a0Ecuador is one of the most violent countries in Latin America<\/a>. Recently a candidate who could have won the\u00a0presidency was assassinated<\/a>\u00a0after a campaign event. Ecuadorian immigrants living in Reading are mourning for what is happening in their country of origin and are hoping that whoever wins the presidential election Sunday helps the country and acts swiftly.<\/p>\n