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Festival sparks interests from Chamorros in the mainland
The annual Chamorro Cultural Festival has renewed the interest of Chamorros who grew up in the mainland to learn more about their culture and the Marianas. The CCF, now on its seventh year, will be held on March 19 at the California State University-San Marcos.
The Chamorro Hands in Education Links Unity is leading the celebration of the event, which is free and open to everyone.
CHE’LU board director David DLG Atalig said they reached out to the Marianas Visitors Authority, through the Governor’s Office, which then gave out brochures and other information packets about the CNMI.
“Last year, then-Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and then-Senate President Victor B. Hocog joined us and brought lots of brochures from the MVA. The materials were distributed by the CNMI Sand Diego Club,” said Atalig.
He added that they are encouraging locals in the CNMI to tell their relatives who are in the mainland, especially those in the West Coast, to inform them of the event and join them in the celebration. Last year more than 200 CNMI residents and their families attended the festivities.
“The CNMI San Diego Club will also be hosting its 3rd Annual Commonwealth/Covenant Day event to celebrate our CNMI holiday. This event will be held on the same weekend of the festival on March 20,” Atalig said.
CHE’LU is a San Diego-based non-profit organization focused on preserving and promoting the Pacific Island culture of the Chamorro people, the indigenous people of the Mariana Islands chain—including the CNMI and Guam. Che’lu in Chamorro means blood related.
The CCF is among the highly anticipated events in San Diego. The event celebrates the arts, culture, and customs of the people of the Mariana Islands.
CHE’LU was founded in 2005 in San Diego, which is home to the largest number of Chamorro people outside the Mariana Islands.
