In the heart of Southern California, the Long Beach Public Library is kicking off a cultural fiesta titled Vida Latina. Running from September 13 through October 15, this city-wide event is set to honor the diverse heritage of Latin(e) communities through a smorgasbord of artistic and educational happenings. According to a recent announcement by the City of Long Beach, all 12 library locations will embrace the theme 'Unity and Herencia'—a nod to the resilience of the Latin(e) diaspora and its impact on the fabric of Long Beach.
"Long Beach is proud to celebrate Vida Latina, a time when our community comes together to honor the history, traditions, and creativity of our Latin community," Mayor Rex Richardson said, as reported by the city's press release. Visitors can expect to fully immerse themselves in the Latin(e) culture with a packed calendar featuring art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, dance workshops, and culinary arts, all free of charge.
Cathy De Leon, Department of Library, Arts, and Culture Director, mentioned, "Vida Latina is a celebration of unity, resilience and heritage. This year, we are especially proud to highlight the many ways Latin American culture enriches our community and connects us across generations." Among the featured programs is the eye-catching Cruisin’ Long Beach: Celebrando la Cultura Lowrider, set to decorate the streets with polished chrome and vibrant paint on October 3, at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library, cited in the city's press release.
Engagement with the richness of Latin(e) culture will come through various media, including the interactive Paint Your Own Cantaritos events and diverse programming across the library branches. Notably, prominent voices will make appearances—a bilingual raconteur, Josue Cuentacuentos, is scheduled to present Selena Storytime, while author Kayden Phoenix aims to inspire future authors with a superhero creation workshop. The City of Long Beach also details that the Vida Latina festivities will culminate with the event La Gran Tardeada, offering live music and activities designed for family enjoyment on October 15 at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library.
The entire month is sprinkled with strategic partnerships and generous sponsorships, with Long Beach Public Library Foundation and the Port of Long Beach playing crucial roles in bringing Vida Latina to life. For those interested in marking their calendars with the lineup of events, further information is readily available on the library's website or through direct contact at 562.570.7500.
