Choices, choices – Serving up a delightful fusion of Mexican and Brazilian cuisine at the El Cocal food-stand.
¡Viva la cultura! Despite spring showers, throngs of Vancouverites congregated at the Carnaval del Sol over the weekend to celebrate Latin culture by socializing, dancing, and noshing on papusas and Cuban barbecue.
¡Muy delisioso! Cuban barbecue.
Carnaval del Sol is a celebration of Latin culture hosted by the LatinCouver Cultural and Business Society of B.C., an organization that brings together Latin Americans and Latin enthusiasts living in Vancouver to strengthen and celebrate the richness of our cultures. This year marks the Carnaval’s 5th year in operation.
Carnaval del Sol ran July 5th & 6th in downtown Vancouver.
As the sun started peeking through the rain clouds, the Granville mall bustled with people enjoying the Carnaval’s ‘plaza’, an open-air market and food-lover’s paradise.
Frozen mango: the perfect way to cool down on a hot day.
We wandered through the crowd, enjoying the mouthwatering scents of churros and barbecued meat.
Churros: chewy and fluffy donuts enjoyed across Latin America.
From El Salvador to Bolivia, the cultures of Latin America were represented through bright artwork, artisan jewelry, dance, music, food & drink.
The flag of Bolivia.
Granville Street, usually a busy thoroughfare bustling with buses and commuters, transformed seamlessly into a lively plaza packed with friends and families humming with conversación.
Despite the hot sun, Carnaval volunteer Arnold greeted visitors with a big smile.
The many Carnval del Sol volunteers greeted spectators warmly and directed them to food-stands where they could get frozen treats and drinks to cool down.
The line-up was long for ice-cold lemonade.
Nationally renowned performers serenaded the crowd, and the brave among us took advantage of free cha cha, salsa, and samba lessons. The festival also featured a dynamic collection of visual art, from sculpture to short films to live painting.
Live-action painting by Thibault Sendra.
We left the Carnaval with full bellies, uplifted spirits, and quite a travel bug. ¡Gracias Carnaval del Sol, nos veremos en la próxima!
To learn more about Latincouver and the history of Latin American heritage in Vancouver, visit https://www.latincouver.ca.
