Harvard Fuerza Latina Hosts Annual Ritmo Latino Celebration

More than 50 Harvard students and faculty celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month on Friday with Harvard Fuerza Latina at its annual Ritmo Latino event.

The event featured a food festival, faculty speeches, and student performances showcasing song, dance, poetry, and film from various Latin American countries.

One of the evening’s performances featured members of Harvard RAZA Folklórico — a student group dedicated to traditional Mexican folk dance — donning flowing white dresses and vibrant accessories.

RAZA Folklórico President Mia N. Rodriguez ’25 called the organizers “incredible” for creating a space for collaboration across Latin organizations on campus.

Rodriguez said she wanted to “give back through performance” and to “showcase what we have to offer” to students unfamiliar with folkloric dancing.

Members of Undergraduate Mariachi Veritas de Harvard — a student musical performance group — also performed at the event, showcasing a variety of musical instruments and vocal ranges.

Diamante C. Balcazar ’25, the group’s president, called it “important to come out and play” to show “unity with all the Latine groups on campus.”

Mariachi singer Elaine N. Haddox ’28 called the event “a great way to represent my Mexican heritage and to be part of a community that also values the same thing.”

Fuerza Latina social chair Paola Y. Lee-Vega ’26 said that despite the substantial time commitment required for Ritmo Latino, providing a space where attendees were able to “share more about their country and what it means for them to be Latino” was “very fulfilling.”

Jennifer U.T. Nguyen ’26 said she attended Ritmo to support her roommate, who helped to co-host the event. Though she said she was not personally connected to the event’s celebration of Latino culture, Nguyen added that she wanted to show solidarity with different cultural spaces and celebrations on campus.

“I think it’s even more important when we’re not necessarily a part of those affinity spaces to go out and show support for different groups,” she said.

Fuerza Latina Vice President Agustin J. León-Sáenz ’25 said he was pleased with the high turnout and diversity in performers and attendees.

“I believe this year — specifically 2024 — was the best year we’ve ever done,” León-Sáenz said.

Making note of his status as an Ecuadorian immigrant who rarely sees himself represented on campus, León-Sáenz said he appreciated having a space that celebrates cultural visibility and appreciation.

“Being able to partake in these spaces is also an active reminder to myself that my identity and my culture matters,” León-Sáenz said.

—Staff writer Katie B. Tian can be reached at katie.tian@thecrimson.com.