Join Chicago Public Library as we celebrate Latinx History Month from September 15 to October 15. This year’s theme “Our Path, Nuestro Camino” honors the path that our communities have endured to make Chicago their home, the path we are still on and the journey we take through literacy, arts and music to maintain our culture and identity.
Events
Opening Program
Start the month off with our Latinx History Month Kick Off Celebration at the Little Village branch featuring live music, crafts and face painting.
Latinx History Month Kick Off Celebration
4 p.m. Thursday, September 14 – Little Village Branch
Check out one of our many events in September and October including a cooking demonstration from Chef Urban Pilón, learn to dance bachata, participate in a workshop with local artists, create crafts, watch a Latinx film at your local branch, visit one our exhibits featuring Latinx artists and much more! View all events and see event highlights below.
Book Discussions and Author Events
Weird Book Club: Gods of Jade and Shadow
7 p.m. Monday, September 25 – Map Room (hosted by the Bucktown- Wicker Park Branch)
Book Discussion: Burro Genius by Victor Villaseñor
11:30 a.m. Thursday, September 28 – Online event
Bilingual Book Discussion: Velvet Was the Night / La noche era terciopelo
6 p.m. Tuesday, October 10 – Harold Washington Library Center
Programs for Kids and Families
Design and Decorate a Tote Bag with Delilah Salgado
5 p.m. Wednesday, September 20 – Archer Heights Branch
Being Bilingual Rocks! Family Concert with Mi Amigo Hamlet and Alina Celeste
11 a.m. Monday, September 25 – Albany Park Branch
Day of the Dead Community Ofrenda and Sugar Skulls
5 p.m. Thursday, October 12 – Gage Park Branch
Programs for Adults and Teens
Cooking Demonstration: Pastelillos de pollo (Chicken Meat Pies)
5 p.m. Wednesday, September 20 – Online event
Pilsen Public Art Tour with Luis Tubens
Noon Saturday, September 23 – Lozano Branch
Poetry Reading with Carlos Cumpián and Angelica Julia Davila
6 p.m. Monday, October 9 – West Lawn Branch
Film Screenings
Monday Matinee: Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
2 p.m. Monday, September 18 – Edgewater Branch
Film Screening: Coco (2017)
2 p.m. Sunday, October 1 – Edgewater Branch
Exhibits
Mexico Collection 1 by Nancy Alvarado Rosas
September 1 - 30 - Lozano Branch
Los Pasos Que Continamos/ Los Pasos de Papa by Mireya Hernandez
September 1 - October 31– Little Village Branch
Photography Untitled by Valentine Espinoza
September 1 - October 31– Little Village Branch
Con Amor Si Se Puede by Kimberly Bernal
September 1 - October 31– Back of the Yards Branch
More Human than Human by Zayuri Pacheco
September 1- October 31– Brighton Park Branch
Our Path/Nuestro Camino
October 4 - February 11 – Harold Washington Library Center, 3rd Floor
An art exhibit showcasing Latinx artists in collaboration with the Latinx Committee. Featured artists: JC Baez, Carlos Carmona, Angela Alvarez, Marimacha Monarca Press: Selva Zafiro Luna, Jose Rosa, David Escobedo and Sarita Hernandez
Coloring Page
Print our coloring sheet by Chicago artist Delilah D. Salgado.
Artist Statement:
Our Path/ Nuestro Camino is inspired by the journeys we take when reading books. Some of the titles of the books are places in Latin America like Peru, Colombia, and Mexico. Some are new terms that are used to describe who we are, such as Latine, a more gender inclusive term that encompasses our rich culture and diversity. Through the beauty of these books we can learn about ourselves as is evident with the smile on the girl's face as she peers out at the viewer. The plants that grow out of the page symbolize the seeds that are planted in our minds, as they spread throughout the landscape, the flowers begin to bloom, migrating to Chicago we take on a new journey just like the monarchs we fly towards a new life, towards the skyscrapers and bustling city. We are guided by our ancestors to places with great architectural structures and even greater dreams. The landscape is surrounded by cactuses, a reminder of the motherland that is still with us. The birthday cake in the center is part of the celebration in honoring our paths. We celebrate the Chicago Public Library’s 150 year anniversary, 150 years of bringing knowledge, poetry, community and imagination to the city of Chicago!
Recommended Reading
Latinx History Month Reads for Kids
Latinx History Month Reads for Teens
Latinx History Month Reads for Adults
Recent Latinx Romances
