Latin culture takes center stage at the HOLA Festival in Aylmer

Tashi Farmilo

The HOLA Festival Latino is set to return to Aylmer for its third edition on May 31 and June 1, promising two vibrant days of music, dance, food, and art at Parc des Cèdres. Organized by the non-profit cultural organization Héritage Colombien, the festival is a celebration of Latino American culture and community spirit, open to all and entirely free of charge.

Created with the mission of sharing Latino heritage and fostering intercultural exchange, the festival has quickly become a major event in Gatineau’s cultural calendar. Following a successful one-day event that drew more than 3,000 people last year, organizers are expecting over 5,000 attendees this year as the festival expands to a full weekend of activities.

This year’s lineup includes live orchestras, folkloric dance performances, and interactive salsa and bachata workshops. Visitors can also explore a variety of local Latin-American food vendors, offering the rich and diverse flavours of countries such as Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. For many, the event is also a chance to support Latin-owned businesses and connect with the people who bring their culture to life in the region.

One of the most anticipated elements of the festival is the collective mural project, an interactive art piece that invites families, children, and artists to contribute their creativity. Guiding the mural this year is renowned Colombian artist Jhonatan Cano Vasques, known for his award-winning work rooted in the landscapes and Indigenous traditions of the Colombian Amazon. The mural will become a lasting symbol of cultural collaboration, permanently displayed in Aylmer.

Milena Casas Tovar, Director-General and founder of Héritage Colombien, emphasized the importance of the festival’s mission: “It is a great pride for me to lead Colombian Heritage, the non-profit cultural organization I created when I arrived in Canada 12 years ago. To be able to share and celebrate the richness of Latino culture day after day with the citizens of Gatineau and the region is a privilege. I invite people to participate for free in our third edition of the Hola Festival Latino at Parc des Cèdres in Aylmer.”

Beyond entertainment, the HOLA Festival aims to strengthen community ties and position Gatineau as a cultural destination. Organizers are encouraging anyone interested in volunteering or participating to reach out via email at heritagecolombien@gmail.com or connect through social media @Heritagecolombien.

“Our dream is for HOLA to grow into one of the biggest Latin festivals in Quebec — and for it to happen right here in our city,” said Casas Tovar. “That dream is becoming a reality, one celebration at a time.”