2024 Nuestra Cultura Heritage Month
September 15 – October 15
![Nuestra Cultura tile graphic](/sites/default/files/styles/100_full_width/public/nuestra_cultura_tile_a_480_x_241_px.png?itok=vV00q-AV)
San Diego Public Library presents Nuestra Cultura, a series celebrating and recognizing the rich heritage, history, contributions and culture of our Latin American and Indigenous communities. We recognize that there is deeply rooted pride in heritage and that self-identities are important, unique and may change over time. We celebrate with an array of programs for all ages and recommended reading and listening lists from our English and Spanish collections.
La Biblioteca Pública de San Diego presenta Nuestra Cultura, una serie que celebra y reconoce la rica herencia, historia, contribuciones y cultura de nuestras comunidades latinoamericanas e indigenas. Reconocemos que existe un orgullo profundamente arraigado en la herencia y que las identidades propias son importantes, únicas y pueden cambiar con el tiempo. Celebramos con una variedad de programas para todas las edades y listas de lectura y escucha recomendadas de nuestras colecciones en inglés y español.
Quick links:
Featured Programs
![The Mexican-American astronaut, Jose M. Hernàndez, smiles proudly at the viewer with his helmet under his hand.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/2024-08/2024-nuestra-cultura-programs-900-px-x-900-px-featured-program.png?itok=qhs3a0cJ)
Fiesta de Nuestra Cultura
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library
Join us for a Fiesta to celebrate Latine Heritage Month. We will have activities for all! Create some arte, listen to some bilingual cuentos and celebrate with us!!!
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Reach for the Stars
Saturday, October 12, 2024 | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Oak Park Library
Celebrate Nuestra Cultura at our family fiesta! Join us for our student essay contest award presentation, storytime, crafts, ballet folklorico, local Latino authors, and more. Refreshments will be provided and opportunities to win copies of the books From Farmworker to Astronaut and El Niño Que Toco Las Estrellas. Presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Library.
Special Exhibit
![The artist Alejandro Morales Riveron is depicted to the left of his red and white serigraph piece. He smiles at the viewer.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/2024-08/2024-nuestra-cultura-programs-900-px-x-900-px-special-exhibit.png?itok=Y8DXEsHL)
OnView: Breathing Life into Chicano Park: Alejandro Morales Riveron
Friday, August 16, 2024 - Monday September 30, 2024 | Central Library, 2nd Floor Exhibition Space
Alejandro Morales Riveron is a Contemporary Artist residing and creating in San Diego, CA. Riveron’s work is rooted in culture, nature, history, and community. In expressing himself, he seeks to engage all communities. Central to his work are themes of identity, pride, and artistic ingenuity. He uses a variety of materials, from traditional canvas painting to multimedia. This versatility facilitated Riveron’s involvement in the Brown Image Chicano Park project, the newest addition to the Chicano Park, San Diego open air mural gallery. This exhibition presents a poignant exploration of the intersection between art, community, and environmental justice.
Lotería
![A family of three people plays a boardgame at the table.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/2024-08/2024-nuestra-cultura-programs-900-px-x-900-px-loteria.png?itok=NEpkHTj9)
Let's Play Lotería
Saturday, September 7, 2024 | 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Otay Mesa/Nestor Library
Let's play Lotería, the classic Mexican game of chance! Lotería is a traditional Mexican game similar to bingo that is quick, fun and easy to play! Lotería can be enjoyed by all ages.
Let's Play Lotería
Monday, September 16, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Pacific Beach/Taylor Library
Let's play Lotería, the classic Mexican game of chance! Join us as we celebrate Nuestra Cultura (formerly Latinx Heritage Month) from September 15 - October 15, by playing Lotería, a traditional Mexican game similar to bingo that is quick, fun and easy to play! We'll have Lotería, refreshments, music and more! Play for a chance to win cool prizes. Lotería can be enjoyed by kids and adults, from ages 7-107. Game play is open to the first 20 participants.
Loteria (Bingo)
Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 2 - 3 p.m. | Tierrasanta Library | Registration Required
Join us for a game of Loteria in celebration of Nuestra Cultura!
Día de los Muertos Storytime with Ms. Jackie
![A sugar skull is decorated with floral and heart designs.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/2024-08/2024-nuestra-cultura-programs-900-px-x-900-px-ms-jackie.png?itok=gQl-DKsf)
In honor of Nuestra Cultura (our library's version of National Hispanic Heritage Month) and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), we will host a special storytime led by Ms. Jackie! She will read stories and sing and play guitar. The storytime will be followed by a sugar skull craft.
- Monday, October 21, 2024 | 11:45 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. | North University Community Library | While supplies last
- Monday, October 21, 2024 | 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | San Ysidro Library | While supplies last
- Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Mira Mesa Library | Registration Required
- Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Carmel Valley Library
- Thursday, October 24, 2024 | 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. | Logan Heights Library
- Thursday, October 24, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Clairemont Library
- Monday, October 28, 2024 | 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Mission Hills Library | Registration Required
- Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library | While supplies last
- Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | University Community Library
- Thursday, October 31, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. | Balboa Library | Registration Required
Storytimes
![A brown man reads a blue book to his daughter.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/2024-08/2024-nuestra-cultura-programs-900-px-x-900-px-storytime.png?itok=tU7Exu3x)
Dance It Out! Bilingual Storytime /¡Baila! Hora de cuentos bilingüe
Every Wednesday | 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Logan Heights Library
Join us in this dancing storytime that geared towards toddlers and their parents. Enjoy new and classic stories of all kinds and get ready to get all those wiggles out and dance away the jiggles and pent-up energy!
Únase a nosotros en esta hora de cuentos con baile dirigida a los niños pequeños y sus padres. ¡Disfruta de historias nuevas y clásicas de todo tipo y prepárate para sacar todos esos movimientos y bailar para alejar los movimientos y la energía reprimida!
Spanish Storytime
Monday, September 9 & 23, 2024 | 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Pacific Beach/Taylor Library
Enjoy bilingual stories and songs for children!
Bilingual Storytime with Ms. Patricia
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library
Join us every 2nd Tuesday for Spanish Bilingual Storytime! This storytime is meant for children to experience early Spanish literacy skills.
¡Únase a nosotros para la hora de cuentos bilingües en español! Esta hora de cuentos está destinada a que los niños experimenten el aprendizaje temprano en español.
Bilingual Storytime - SPANISH/ENGLISH (Ages 5-8)
Tuesday, September 10 & September 24, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Rancho Bernardo Library
Join Ms. Lea for an engaging storytime with stories and songs in English and Spanish!
Bilingual Storytime with Ms. Patricia
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Valencia Park/Malcolm X Library
Join us every 2nd Tuesday for Spanish Bilingual Storytime! This storytime is meant for children to experience early Spanish literacy skills.
¡Únase a nosotros para la hora de cuentos bilingües en español! Esta hora de cuentos está destinada a que los niños experimenten el aprendizaje temprano en español.
Bilingual Storytime - SPANISH/ENGLISH (Ages 5-8)
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 & October 22, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Rancho Bernardo Library
Join Ms. Lea for an engaging storytime with stories and songs in English and Spanish!
Spanish Storytime
Monday, October 14 & 28, 2024 | 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Pacific Beach/Taylor Library
Enjoy bilingual stories and songs for children!
Bilingual Storytime!
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 10 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | Mountain View/Beckwourth Library
Join us every third Thursday of the month for a very special bilingual Spanish storytime. Here children will be introduced to different languages, songs, stories and fun!
Children’s Programs
![The following children’s crafts are displayed: a Guatemalan kite, a Nicho box, and repujado tin art.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/2024-08/2024-nuestra-cultura-programs-900-px-x-900-px-children-s-programs.png?itok=2CHX8B8X)
Children's Bilingual Spanish Conversation Night (Grades 1-5)
Monday, September 9, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Carmel Valley Library
Bilingual Spanish/English conversation night - practice your Spanish while mingling with others or playing Lotería. We will play games, and converse in Spanish. *(Program aAge is ideally set for grades 1st to 5th)
Create-it Thursday: Nuestra Cultura Nichos Workshop
Thursday, September 19, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library | Registration Required
Join us with Back From Tombouctou for a fun nNichos workshop! We will provide a wooden box and all the images and materials for decorating it in the Mexican tradition. Nicho can be made to Frida, Guadalupe or Loteria. Resembling dioramas, they are made from common household objects and craft materials and traditionally combine elements from mestizo spirituality, and popular culture.
Crafternoon: God's Eye (Ages 4 and up)
Tuesday, September 24, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Balboa Library
Join us during National Hispanic Heritage Month to make a traditional craft of the Huichol indigenous people of Mexico.
Create-it Thursday: Nuestra Cultura Guatemalan Kites
Thursday, September 26, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library | Registration Required
Join us to learn how to craft your very own Guatemalan cCometa! Kites are an important cultural symbol in Guatemala made to honor and celebrate loved ones who have passed on.
Kids Krafternoon: Flower Crown or Decorative Tile (Ages 3 and up)
Saturday, September 28, 2024 | 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Rancho Bernardo Library | While supplies last
Celebrate Nuestra Cultura! Use cardstock and tissue paper to make your own flower crown or use paint pens to decorate a tile in a Latin American-inspired style. While supplies last.
Create-it Thursday: Nuestra Cultura 3D Paper Alebrijes
Thursday, October 3, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library | Registration Required
Join us to celebrate Nuestra Cultura by making your own paper 3D aAlebrije! Alebrijes are brightly colored Mexican fFolk aArt sSculptures of mystical creatures. We see and hear a lot about aAlebrijes during Day of the Dead celebrations!
Children's Bilingual Spanish Conversation Night (Grades 1-5)
Monday, October 7, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Carmel Valley Library
Bilingual Spanish/English conversation night - practice your Spanish while mingling with others or playing Lotería. We will play games, and converse in Spanish. *(Program Age is ideally set for grades 1st to 5th)
Create-it Thursday: Nuestra Cultura Repujados
Thursday, October 10, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. | Skyline Hills Library | Registration Required
Join us to celebrate Nuestra Cultura! Join us to craft your own rRepujados or hHeart tTins! “Repujados” refers to the technique used to create embossed or raised designs with metal or leather. They are a popular Mexican art form.
Nuestra Cultura: Make your own Tortillas
Monday, October 14, 2024 | 5:15 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Central Library, 1st Floor Denny Sanford’s Children Library
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with us at the library by joining our hands-on workshop, Make Your Own Tortillas! No prior cooking experience is needed.
Teen Programs
![A group of four teens embrace each while their backs are turned toward the viewer.](/sites/default/files/styles/1200_width/public/2024-08/2024-nuestra-cultura-programs-900-px-x-900-px-teen-programs.png?itok=wARRmt4u)
Nuestra Cultura: Create Your Own Nicho (Ages 12-18)
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 | 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Central Library, 2nd Floor Pauline Foster Teen Center | Registration Required
Come celebrate Nuestra Cultura and create your very own nicho focused on a loved one who has passed away. Please bring at least one picture of your loved one. All other materials will be supplied. Registration is encouraged to ensure we have enough materials for everyone.
Teen DIY: Felt Sugar Skulls
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 | 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. | Rancho Bernardo Library | Registration Required
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the start of spooky season! Use a basic sewing stitch to create your own stuffed felt sugar skull! For grades 6 - 12. Limit 12 participants. Registration opens 8/20/24. Walk-ins accepted if space allows.
DIY @ the TEEN IDEA Lab: Nuestra Cultura Floral Headband/ Hazlo tú mismo en el laboratorio TEEN IDEA: Nuestra Cultura Diadema con flores
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 | 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. | Logan Heights Library | Registration Required
Attention all Tweens and Teens! Stop by the Teen IDEA Lab where we will DIY projects using various equipment in the lab. In honor of Nuestra Cultura we will be making floral headbands with felt and other materials. For tweens and teens ages 10 - 18. Registration is required!
¡Atención a todos los preadolescentes y adolescentes! Pase por Teen IDEA Lab donde realizaremos proyectos de bricolaje utilizando diversos equipos en el laboratorio. Para preadolescentes y adolescentes de 10 a 18 años.
Featured Art at Logan Heights Library
Information about the Artists and featured artwork: Fast Facts |
Exhibition Checklist
Videos
Dreamers Lost + Found with Lizz Huerta
Books for Good Trouble
Margarita Pintado from Puerto Rico to San Diego
Conversations with Poets
Adrián Arancibia on empowering the next generation
Conversations with Poets
Looking back with Deborah Ramos
Conversations with Poets
Karla Cordero on Teaching & Creating Space for Students
Conversations with Poets
Olga García, Influence of Grandmothers & Being a Poet
Conversations with Poets
General Interest
San Diego is home to many community groups that celebrate Nuestra Cultura. For more information, visit the links below:
- Sherman Heights Foundation: The Sherman Heights Community Center (SHCC) was founded in 1984 and serves 20,000 residents a year who live in Sherman Heights and the nearby communities of Grant Hill, Logan Heights, Barrio Logan, San Ysidro and other South Bay communities.
- House of Mexico: A nonprofit organization focused on developing and implementing on-going programs that serve the community and reflect our mission to share, celebrate, educate and promote the rich art, culture and history of Mexico to San Diego and its visitors.
- Centro Cultural de la Raza: The Centro’s mission is to create, preserve, and educate about Chicano, Mexicano, Latino and Indigenous art and culture.
- Barrio Logan’s Art Community: Barrio Logan is home to a thriving artists' community, with a rich cultural tradition headlined by the district's crown jewel, Chicano Park. The park is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is an iconic destination where visitors can explore Chicano history in one of the largest collections of public murals in North America. The art community in Barrio Logan has taken a nod from Chicano Park and is home to numerous artist collectives, galleries and events including the monthly Barrio Art Crawl.
- The Front Arte Cultura: The mission of the Front Arte Cultura is to boost Arts & Culture in the San Ysidro – Tijuana region, and to give space to new, diverse, and innovative projects and ideas.