Celebrating the children: What to expect at Dia de Kriansa at Haskell Gardens on June 1.

NEW BEDFORD — On June 1, the Cape Verdean celebration Dia de Kriansa will be making its way to Haskell Garden to honor children.

This children's day celebration, organized by Iva Brito, artist and founder of Iva Brito Consultancy, is a day for healing and honoring the roots and culture of Cape Verde. The event is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 3 pm.

Brito said the event aims to use public art to offer the New Bedford community, especially those in BIPOC communities, an opportunity to reclaim the public sphere as a space for joy, learning and healing sanctuary.

"The project seeks to embrace the rich tapestry of Afro-indigenous cultures and celebrate and educate through a day of events and activities," Brito said.

But the event is more than just a festival, it is a call to take pride in the culture and heritage, and to pass on traditions to future generations. The day is also to honor revolutionary leader and political theorist Amilcar Cabral, who would've been 100 years old.

According to Brito, Cabral played a central role in the struggle against the Portuguese colonial rule in Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde, and was the founder of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). He was also a huge supporter of children and their future for the nation.

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"It's a day to celebrate the power of family, togetherness, and generations," says Brito. The event also aims to promote education and cultural awareness by providing the first 100 families with a book about Cabral and African culture in English, encouraging them to learn more about their own cultural traditions in a fun and interactive way.

Bringing the entire community together to honor children

The intention is to create an inclusive and vibrant afternoon where colors, rhythms and the echoes of stories merge to celebrate the cultural mosaic that is New Bedford.

The day will feature cultural children's games and activities, including storytelling and music by BIPOC artists, as well as food trucks by BIPOC restaurants, allowing families to gather for a picnic-style experience and uplift their community.

"The day will use placemaking and peacemaking to directly impact the New Bedford community," said Brito.

Brito hopes that the Dia de Kriansa celebration will not only be a fun and joyful event but also a kick-starter for a month of activities and events celebrating the BIPOC community in New Bedford.

"I want everyone to be involved, whether they are Black or not. There's a lot of support from the BIPOC community, and I urge families to come out and celebrate this beautiful public space and the things that we all love," Brito said, adding that people should plan to bring their own picnic blankets and beach chairs.

"It's a perfect day, the weather is going to be beautiful, and I encourage families to join us at Haskel Garden for a memorable and enriching experience."

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Cape Verdean celebration Dia de Kriansa in New Bedford on June 1