ARLINGTON, Texas—Hispanic Heritage Month has begun, and the Arlington Public Library is hosting various programs that honor Hispanic culture.
Celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month is a chance for people to learn more about Hispanic history and honor its influence.
“It is the feeling of wanting to be connected to your culture,” Laura Hoffman, programming librarian at the East Library and Recreation Center said. “There’s a lot of people in the world who relate to wanting to understand where they came from, who they are now and where they are going.”
The events aim to represent a wide variety of Hispanic cultures while centering on the library’s mission of building a bridge from curiosity to opportunity for a vibrant Arlington.
The East Library and Recreation Center will kick off the celebration with several free heritage programs.
“Culture affects all of us, and it’s something that is in our daily lives,” Hoffman said. “The Hispanic culture here at the East [Library] is evident everywhere.”
The celebration kicked off Saturday when more than 30 organizations were represented at the Health and Wellness Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Sept. 21 fair catered to the Spanish-speaking community and provided it with mind and body wellness resources.
A large part of the community struggles to get health services due to language barriers, but the fair was designed to help switch the narrative and get community members the help they need, Hoffman said.
Tea Time: Horchata is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 25. The recurring tradition offers a chance to explore different ceremonies and beverages from other cultures.
Miguel Briones, award-winning educator and self-published author, is scheduled to be at the library from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 28 as part of the series Authors in Arlington. His book signing of “Macho no Machismo” will follow a question and answer session where guests will have the opportunity to ask about his career and writing.
Attendees can participate in the Mexican tradition of making piñatas from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 9.
Having a place where people can interact and learn about other cultures benefits everyone in the community whether they are Hispanic or not, Rodrigo Lizaola, library clerk two at the East Library and Recreation Center, said.
The George W. Hawkes Downtown Library also is scheduled to host events that focus on different art forms represented in Hispanic cultures. Guests will be able to create tin foil art and 3D printed sugar skills during two separate events held in October.
Lizaola said he is happy to see events that showcase Hispanic culture publicized and promoted by the city.
Wrapping up Hispanic Heritage Month, the Arts and Culture Festival is scheduled to take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 12. There will be several arts and crafts opportunities at the event including Mexican bark painting and alebrijes, as well as Guatemalan worry dolls.
Several local artists will be present at the festival, including a mariachi band and ballet folklorico dancers.
Sharon Granado, library manager for adult services at the East Library and Recreation Center, said Arlington has become extremely diverse and the library has spent time trying to provide culturally diverse programs to support the community.
