The City of Long Beach celebrates Filipino-American heritage with the second annual Liwanag Literary Festival, to be held on October 21, at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library. The event, a partnership with Bel Canto Books, is part of the nationwide Filipino-American Heritage History Month.
To successfully emphasize the Filipino-American stories, Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson said, “The stories and experiences of our Long Beach Filipino-American community significantly contributes to our city's rich history. We encourage everyone to learn and appreciate our neighbors and their culture through this festival.”
A diverse range of Filipino-American authors, such as Michelle Sterling, Alex Brown, and Jasmin Iolani Hakes will be featured in the Liwanag Literary Festival. The lineup will include readings, panel discussions, and book signings.
The City of Long Beach announced that not only will there be literary events, but also children's crafts and a performance by Rocksteady Rondalla, a group specializing in traditional Philippine music.
“Long Beach Public Library is continuously striving to build a connection with all cultures and demographics represented in Long Beach. The second Liwanag Literary Festival is a privilege to host, especially with more than 20,000 Filipino and Filipino- American residents in our community," Cathy De Leon, Director of Library Services, recounts enthusiastically.
The festival’s partnership with Bel Canto Books reaffirms its commitment to Filipino voices. Both the Liwanag Literary Festival and Bel Canto Books are driven by a mutual vision: to bridge communities, engage readers, and foster understanding among cultural divides.
The event is free to the public.
