JORGORIO:  A LATINO CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

By Elizabeth Cardona

As the holiday season approaches, many people start looking forward to the memories of good times shared with family and friends.  For those Latinos who have celebrated Christmas in their beloved homelands, where the festivities begin about mid-November and continue until Three Kings Day (January 6^th), Christmas in New England, with its notoriously frigid temperatures, can appear rather bleak.  This is particularly true since the holiday preparations consist of gift exchanges, special dishes, and drinks that are better enjoyed among family and friends.  However, to people on a limited income, including our elderly, the financial burden and time constraints of meeting these cultural traditions can somewhat diminish the holiday glee. 

However, thanks to the commitment and dedication of the Springfield Puerto Rican Day Parade Committee and the Puerto Rican Veterans of Massachusetts, Inc., under the direction of Executive Director, Gumersindo Gomez, local seniors can experience an enchanted evening filled with an abundance of nostalgia free of charge.  The annual Jorgorio--hor/go/ree/o (Christmas dinner) with its jovial ambiance is the community event where everyone, young and old, can “feel at home.” Mesmerized by the array of typical Spanish dishes displayed, consisting of Yellow Rice with Pigeon Peas, Roast Pork, Pastelles--pas/tell/es (grated root vegetables filled with meat), and Morcilla--mor/see/ja (spiced sausage), that are especially prepared for the celebration, one can pardon the weather and just delight in each mouthful. 

Following dinner, the night continues with Aguinaldos--a/gee/nal/dos (live music) where everyone sings carols, temporarily forgetting his or her bitterness and sorrows.  One can close his/her eyes and pick up the distinctive sounds of the Guirro--gu/ee/ro, Maraca--ma/ra/ka, and Tambor--tam/bore and feel the vibrations penetrating in their soul unlike any other time of the year.  According to Gomez, “The event is a great occasion where we can honor our elderly by providing them with an opportunity to relive their memories, while (at the same time) instilling in our youth the value our culture.  Furthermore, we also invite other cultures to share our Puerto Rican custom of celebrating Christmas.”  

For those who have never had the pleasure of attending this wonderful event, there are still tickets available.  This year’s “Jorgorio” will take place Saturday, December 20, 2003 from 7:00 pm until 1:00 am at the American Legion Post 452, 37 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA.  For ticket information, or to sponsor senior tables, please call Gumersindo Gomez at (413) 731-0194.