Residente del área de Kansas City Pedro Pablo Triggs está unos pocos miles de millas de su país natal, Chile, pero todavía sabe que gran recuerdos y orgullo la fiesta patria de Chile (18 de septiembre) reúne a todos los chilenos.
“Cuando era joven, celebraba las fiestas patrias con mi familia,” dijo Triggs. “Celebramos con platillos de carne, junto con una compe de vino Chileno.”
Después de la comida tradicional, Triggs y su familia bailaban “cueca,” el baile nacional de Chile.
“También nos gusta ir a ramadas, que son fiestas en la calle o reuniones públicas, donde mucha gente se ve y venden comida típica en mi país,” recordó Triggs.
Algunas de las tradiciones más antiguas en la observación del alquiler consiste en pintar la casa de uno y mantenerla bien decorada durante al menos una semana. Otra tradición es colgar la bandera Chilena exterior de la casa. Y, por supuesto, hay mucho baile cueca y carne asada a la parrilla durante ese tiempo.
“En mi país, es muy común que cada año todas las tiendas cierran por la semana,” dijo Triggs. “Las empresas dan a sus empleados una semana libre.”
De acuerdo con Triggs, las empresas también les dan a sus empleados un “dieciochero vino” – una tarjeta de regalo monetario para que cada trabajador pueda disfrutar con su familia.
“Lo que más me gusta del Dia de la Independencia de Chile es ver feliz a mi país,” dijo Triggs. “Veo a mi familia y veo a la gente que se unen para celebrar.”
Como un residente de Kansas, Triggs ya no practica las tradiciones patrias, principalmente porque conoce pocos compañeros chilenos. Pero eso no lo impide celebrar la fiesta nacional.
“Trato de comprar una botella de vino chileno y recordar los buenos recuerdos que tengo de esas fiestas y celebraciones,” dijo Triggs.
Area resident continues observing Chilean Independence Day
By Katherine Diaz
Kansas City area resident Pedro Pablo Triggs is a few thousand miles from his native Chile, but he still knows what great memories and pride Chilean Independence Day (Sept. 18) brings to all Chileans.
“When I was young, I celebrated Chilean Independence Day with my family,” Triggs said. “We celebrated with meat dishes, along with a glass of Chilean wine.”
After the traditional meal, Triggs and his family would dance the night away with their “cueca” moves to celebrate their homeland’s national dance.
“We would also go to ramadas, which are street parties or public get-togethers, where many people would go and sell typical food in my country,” Triggs recalled.
Some of the oldest traditions in observing the holiday include painting one’s house and keeping it well-decorated for at least one week. Another tradition is to hang the Chilean flag outside of one’s house for a week. And, of course, there’s a lot of cueca dancing and grilling meat during that time.
“In my country, it’s very common that every year all stores close for the week,” Triggs said. “Companies give their employees a free week.
According to Triggs, companies also give their employees a “dieciochero vono” – a monetary gift card or a so each worker can enjoy the extra bit of money with his or her family.
“What I enjoy most about Chilean Independence Day is seeing my country happy,” Triggs said. “I see my family and I see people coming together to celebrate.”
As a Kansas resident, Triggs no longer practices Chilean Independence Day traditions, mainly because he knows few fellow Chileans. But that doesn’t stop him from celebrating the national holiday.
“I try to buy a bottle of Chilean wine and remember the fond memories I have of those parties and celebrations,” he said.