EVERETT — Two different cultures, Latino and Slavic, came together under colorful flags and streamers of yellow, red and green draped from the ceiling at the Cinco de Mayo/May Day Holiday Festival at Horizon Elementary School on Saturday.
The contrasting aromas of warm piroshki — a Russian specialty of fried dough stuffed with potato filling — and traditional Mexican nachos with sweet or spicy salsa drew old and young to the food table for samples.
A troupe ofRussian dancers in bright costume followed a traditional mariachi band onstage.
Familias Unidas, a Latino resource center in Snohomish County, and the South Everett Neighborhood Center, a resource center that reaches out to Russian and Ukrainian residents, organized the event to celebrate two important dates.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the May 5, 1862, Mexican victory against French invaders. May Day is a workers’ holiday in Ukraine, Russia and many other countries.
"This event gives neighbors a place to come together and celebrate their cultures," said Winnie Corral, a project manager with the neighborhood center.
Pedro Estrada immigrated to the United States from Nicaragua in 1989. On Saturday, he performed several songs in Spanish on guitar.
"Music is a universal language and is a way to communicate and understand each other, even though we are from different countries," he said.
He came to relish the positive cultural celebration, he said.
"The Spanish-speaking community is not all drugs and drinking — people make bad choices in any culture," he said. "To me, it’s important to come together and celebrate culture. And language doesn’t have to be a barrier, you can always smile."
Julia Fisenko and friends Angelina Sayenko and Marina Dikhtyar, all 16, came from Ukraine with their families several years ago and speak fluent Russian and English. They were volunteering at the event as translators.
"It’s important for kids not to forget their culture so they remember their heritage," Dikhtyar said.
She pointed out the children coloring drawings of Matruska dolls, wooden nesting dolls that are common in Ukraine.
Liliya Volkova came from Ukraine four years ago, and brought her five children to the event.
"They are really enjoying it," she said through a translator. "Everyone is so friendly here, and we really like learning about other cultures."
Reporter Pam Brice: 425-339-3439 or brice@heraldnet.com.
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