Celebrate Hispanic heritage with events through Oct. 2

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

Oakland University’s 2009 Hispanic Celebration “La Cultura Hispanica de Michigan, The Hispanic Culture of Michigan" kicked off September 14 with an opening ceremony that featured remarks from Martina Guzmán, a Detroit-based journalist who won the 2008 Associated Press Award as Best Individual Reporter. This year’s celebration includes a string of fun-filled events highlighting the rich tradition of Hispanic culture throughout the state.

A trip to the Detroit’s Mexicantown, Corktown and the Detroit Institute of Arts will take place from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. Free bus transportation will be provided. The trip is cosponsored by the Center for Student Activities and Oakland University Student Congress. Those interested in participating can sign up at the CSA service window, located in room 49 of the Oakland Center. Participants should bring money to cover the cost of lunch in Mexicantown.

A panel discussion about recent political and social changes in Cuba and other Hispanic countries will be held from noon to 1p.m. in the Oakland Center Fireside Lounge on Monday, Sept. 21. The discussion will feature insightful perspectives from OU Spanish professor Estela Moreno-Mazzoli and Gloria Aquino Sosa, Mental Health Clinician at Easter Seals.

A mock Quinceañera — the traditional coming-of-age ceremony held on a Hispanic young woman’s fifteenth birthday—is planned from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24 in the Expansion Food Court of the Oakland Center.

In addition, Oakland students will share their summer travel experiences around the world during a panel discussion to be held from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28 in the Oakland Center Fireside Lounge.

Festivities will wrap up with a closing ceremony, La Fiesta (Feast Day) from noon to 1p.m. in the Oakland Center Fireside Lounge on Friday, Oct. 2. The celebration will showcase a variety of Hispanic religious and holiday celebrations and also feature the acoustical sounds of the band Dondé.

This year’s Hispanic celebration at Oakland is sponsored by the Center for International Programs, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Center for Student Activities, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Honors College, International Students and Scholars Office, OU Student Congress and the Spanish Club.

For a complete listing of events, download the program flyer.