Latin pride in full force during Three Kings’ Celebration at Uprose
The first snowstorm of the New Year delayed a Sunset Park holiday celebration, but not for long. On January 4, UPROSE, Brooklyn’s oldest Latino community based organization, held its first Three Kings’ Celebration just a day after the storm. Members of the community gathered for an afternoon of food, music, art and poetry.
“This is our first year doing a Three Kings’ party. It’s a cultural celebration,” said Elizabeth Yeampierre, executive director of UPROSE. “We want to keep the tradition going. It’s all about giving.” Also known as Dia de Los Reyes, Three Kings Day is when children receive gifts brought by the three kings. For many, it’s a more significant holiday than Christmas.
President of the Boricua Festival Committee, Pat Ruiz collaborated with Yeampierre to make the event happen. “I think it’s a great idea to keep the holiday alive and let people know it’s still here,” said Ruiz, who noted that second or third generation Puerto Ricans born in Brooklyn may not be aware of the holiday.