Latino Heritage Month celebration kicks off Sept. 15
Released: September 12, 2008
From September 15 to October 10, 2008, Latinos across the U.S. will celebrate their independence once again.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will celebrate Latino independence with a month-long lecture series. The series is designed to inform and engage individuals from other cultures, as well as Latinos themselves, about Latino heritage.
In addition to the lecture series, UW-Whitewater is hosting an art and cultural exchange with Universidad Autónomo Benito Juárez de Oaxaca. Located just south of Mexico City, it’s known for its many art galleries, museums and cultural attractions.
“The exchange with Oaxaca was chosen as a continuation of previous contact with them through dialogue with various individuals,” said Nelia Olivencia, the director of Latino student programs. “In January 2008 we decided to sign an exchange agreement with them.”
Oaxaca artist Shinzaburo Takeda and writer Manuel Matus along with current and former students will showcase their work.
“Shinzaburo Takeda and Manuel Matus are highly recognized in their fields as artists. Takeda is an exceptional painter and Matus has received various national awards,” Olivencia said. “The speakers are unique in that they each have their own area of expertise.”
Takeda was born in Japan and now lives in Oaxaca and teaches visual arts at the university. He mainly focuses on politics, religion, Oaxacan culture and traditions in mythology. Matus was born in Oaxaca and is a poet and essayist. He currently writes short fiction books on Zapotec language and culture.
“I think it will be an unusually exceptional series of programs and events,” Olivencia added.
Latino Heritage Lecture Series schedule:
- September 15
Music by “Mariachi Real Azteca.”
3-4:30 p.m. Old Main Ballroom, UC 275
Fragmentation of the Family Structure
4:30-5:30 p.m. Old Main Ballroom, UC 275
- September 22
4-5 p.m. Old Main Ballroom, UC 275
Mexican Muralists
7-8 p.m. Hamilton Center, UC
- September 29
4-5 p.m. Old Main Ballroom, UC 275
- October 6
4-5 p.m. Old Main Ballroom, UC 275
Oaxaca Art and Cultural Exchange schedule:
- September 22
Manuel Matus and Shinzaburo Takeda
4-5 p.m. Old Main Ballroom UC 275
Fiskum Art Gallery Reception
“Graphic Works of Maestro Shinzaburo Takeda and his Student’s”
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Mexican Muralists
Shinzaburo Takeda
7-8 p.m. Hamilton Center
- September 23
Shinzaburo Takeda
7 p.m. Whitewater Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main Street, Whitewater
Oral History Tradition
8 p.m. Whitewater Cultural Arts Center
- September 24
Writing Workshop
1:30-3 p.m. UC 295
- Ryan Weyers,weyersrj13@uww.edu
