On October 12th, a parade commemorating Panama’s independence from Colombia on November 3rd, 1903 was held in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, New York. This was the 29th annual Panamanian Day Parade in New York, where Panamanian descendants celebrated with music and dance.
The Falun Dafa Waist Drum Team, Lotus Team, and Flower Boat Team participated in the parade, adding vibrant colors and promoting the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. The Panamanian community warmly welcomed them, saying, “Today, these Chinese people are also Panamanians!”
Local state assembly members and representatives of Senator Schumer enthusiastically spoke before the parade, thanking the Panamanian community for their contributions to the United States and New York. Panamanian residents wore colorful outfits, floral headpieces, and showcased their elegance during the parade, with Panamanian beauty pageant winners adorned in sashes and crowns. The NYPD Hispanic Officers Committee also joined the celebration. It was noted that this is the largest Panamanian parade outside of the Republic of Panama.
Ms. Li, from the Falun Dafa Waist Drum Team, expressed that it was their first time participating in this parade. The organizers appreciated the team’s colorful performance and welcomed them to join the parade. New York City is a melting pot of diverse cultures, with Chinese traditional culture being one of the oldest in the world, emphasizing ethics and cultivation. The values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance advocated by Falun Dafa can inspire kindness and are welcomed by communities of different ethnicities.
The rhythmic drum beats of the Waist Drum Team resonated, capturing the attention of Panamanian residents who enthusiastically took out their phones to capture the moment, marching along with the music, clapping, and cheering.
The graceful and elegant Lotus Team and Flower Boat Team danced their way through the parade, mesmerizing the spectators. Photographers from various media outlets captured the beauty of their performances.
The crowd expressed their love and excitement, with Panamanian Joanna saying, “They are very cute, this is the first time I have seen them and they are great! I love the yellow costumes, amazing! I’m so happy!”
Panamanian Angela expressed her joy at seeing Chinese participation in the Panamanian parade, saying, “Today they are also Panamanians! This showcases the diversity of New York.”
Panamanian Nina described them as peaceful, serene, calm, and natural, appreciating their presence in the parade.
After the parade, local residents eagerly took photos with the Waist Drum Team, Lotus Team, and Flower Boat Team members, expressing their love for the cultural experience they brought.
责任编辑：黄小堂