Peruvian festival focuses on children

Mason District Park was transformed into a celebration of Peruvian culture for kids May 15, with performances, crafts, and food.

The Festival for Children (II Festival Del Niño) was hosted by the nonprofit Fundación Puro Peru.

The goal, said organizer Silvia Orellana of Annandale, is to educate children of Peruvian heritage about their culture. That’s especially important for children in multicultural families.

The kids watched their peers perform traditional Peruvian dances and got opportunities to join in.

Each child was given a passport where they could document their visits to information tables featuring Peruvian musical instruments, food resources from Peru, the Quechua language, the Inca empire, and more. Those who completed their passport got a prize.

More photos from II Festival Del Niño: