LYNN — The city of Lynn celebrated the bicentennial anniversary of Peru’s independence from Spain Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony that took place in front of City Hall.
The ceremony included awards given to local Peruvians who are involved in the community, performances of a variety of dances from different parts of Peru, and a raising of the country’s flag.
More than 100 people gathered at City Hall to commemorate Peru’s independence — which became official in 1821 — and acknowledge the city’s Peruvian culture. Attendees and performers were seen sporting the country’s red and white colors and its traditional colorful clothing, masks and jewelry.
The consul general of Peru in Boston, Min. Carla Stella Maris Chirinos Llerena, spoke at this ceremony, saying that the 200th anniversary is an important day for Peruvians as they reflect on the country’s independence and continued success in the future.
She said it’s important for Peruvians living in the United States to continue to preserve the history and traditions of Peru, while making sure to pass them down to future generations.
Magalie Yolanda Torres-Rowe of Lynn, who helped organize Wednesday’s event, echoed this by saying that it’s important for younger generations to continue to love and embrace their Peruvian culture.
She acknowledged a group of second-generation Peruvian children — who were born in the United States — as they performed Peruvian dances, saying that even though they weren’t born there, “they keep the traditions of our country alive and will hopefully pass it onto their kids too.”
Wednesday marked the first Peruvian flag raising in Lynn. Torres-Rowe said it was perfect that the first such event was held on such a significant day.
Torres-Rowe said that while she feels sad sometimes that she lives so far away from her home country, she chooses to live in the United States because there are better opportunities for jobs, work and education, and living here ensures a better future for her children.
“Still, celebrating the traditions of our culture, even though we don’t live there anymore, is very important because we are passing on to our kids that they are proud of our roots,” Torres-Rowe said.
State Rep. Peter Capano (D-Lynn) said it was great to see such a large turnout for the anniversary celebration.
“We’ve had flag raisings in the city for a few years now, and the reason for these is to celebrate the diversity in the city,” Capano said. “I wish you all the best as we celebrate the diversity in the city and the Peruvian flag raising today. Viva Perú.”
During the ceremony, the City Council and Mayor Thomas M. McGee’s office awarded citations to numerous Peruvians living in Lynn and surrounding cities for their involvement and dedication to their communities and Peruvian culture.
Some of the people recognized included Máximo Torres, a recognized journalist in Perú and editor for El Mundo Boston; Oscar and Teresa Stagnaro, Oscar for winning seven Grammys as a musician and professor at Berklee College of Music and Teresa as an artist, choreographer and Peruvian dance costume designer; Norka Becerra, a community leader and member of the Peruvian dance group “Pumawari Tusuy”; and Juan M. Espinoza, a history professor at Catholic University of Peru and a graduate student at Boston College.
Lynn resident Rosalia Perez, 89, assisted Torres-Rowe, Peru’s consul general and city officials in raising the Peruvian flag at City Hall, effectively commemorating the country’s 200 years of independence.
