Argentinian Independence Day Celebrated in Nassau County

Residents from across Nassau County and beyond joined together on July 7, 2023, at the Theodore Roosevelt Executive & Legislative Building in Mineola (NY) to celebrate the 207th anniversary of Argentina’s Independence. The celebration was under the direction of County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman and was a collaborative effort including Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs and Comité Cívico Argentino, an Argentinian civic association founded by Glen Cove resident Lia Di Angelo, who also serves as the organization’s president.

The program began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the U.S. National Anthem. This was followed by the singing of the Argentinian National Anthem and a brief welcome by Nassau County Deputy Director of Minority Affairs Melissa Figueroa.

Comité Cívico Argentino President Lia Di Angelo shared a message of pride and appreciation. Following President Di Angelo’s message dancers took to the sage with magnificent performances. The dancers included: tango dancers Silvana Núñez and Iván Romero; Grupo Folklorico Argentino Renacer including Claudia Brito, her children Rodrigo and Christopher Vazquez, and Rosario Guerra: Adriana Argentino Ballet and Escuela SOL CUYANO and her group - Elsa Pezoa, Carlos Gimenez, Armando Millan, Adriana Argentino, and Gabriela Morales; and, belly dancer Kristal Garabedian. Accompanying the dancers were musicians Juan Arias and Andres Damian Arias.

Following the entertainment, Nassau County Executive Director of Hispanic Affairs, Herberth Flores, presented citations to all of the honorees including Martin Bauer, Marina Nogueyra, Gaitley Stevenson-Mathews, Chef Rita Medin, Juan Oscar Brizuela, Iván Romero, and Silvana Núñez.

Stevenson-Mathews, who is a resident of Glen Cove, was also honored with an Ambassador Sash in recognition of his service to the Argentinian Community and to the broader community.

The evening concluded with more entertainment and a reception featuring wine, empanadas, desserts, and many specialty foods from Argentina. For more on the Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs visit www.nassaucountyny.gov/HispanicAffairs. For more on Comité Cívico Argentino including information on their upcoming Gala/Toy Drive Fundraiser to be held on December 17th at the Cresent Beach Club in Bayville, please call (917) 612-6607 or visit www.comitecivicoargentino.com. Information is also available at Comité Cívico Argentino’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069767918162. Comité Cívico Argentino is a not-for-profit 501 (C )(3) organization.