FLECHAS

Flechas Inc. was a Puerto Rican arts, culture and advocacy organization based in New Haven, developed by Menen Osorio. They organized an annual festival – Fiestas de Loiza en honor al Apostol Santiago - celebrating the festival held in Loiza, Puerto Rico, that commemorated St. James (Apostol Santiago) defeating the Moors in Spain. In this festival, both in Loiza and in New Haven, folk dances featuring costumed vejigante dancers were a major element of the presentation. Lydia Perez of Yoruba II also performed. Loiza is a town on the north coast of Puerto Rico with strong African-influenced traditions from its roots in the sugar cane industry and the culture of its enslaved people.