JKPL celebrates Cinco de Mayo
From left, Celina Foreman, Maria Crisostomo, and Rose Ulloa have their picture taken in the Mexican-themed room of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. (Bea Cabrera)
Cinco de Mayo, a celebration of Mexican heritage, wades ashore in the CNMI today, with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library hosting two parties—one for children and another for the rest of the family.
The library’s first party today, May 5, is open to infants and toddlers from 10:30am onwards. The second one tomorrow, May 6, is open to everyone. It also starts at 10:30am.
“We are celebrating Cinco de Mayo because a lot of [children] are not aware of other countries and cultures so we decided to bring it here,” said JKPL librarian Rose Ulloa. “We want [children] to know about Mexico and this event will help them know about Mexico’s people, culture, music, food and family life.”
This is the first year that the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library is celebrating Cinco de Mayo.
Celina Foreman, another librarian in the JKPL children’s area, said they spent two-and-a-half weeks planning and gathering props “because it is our first time to present something like this for the children. We had the support of our co-workers in bringing props.”
In honor of the occasion, the children’s section of the library is filled with colorful flaglets, Mexican hats, and books about Mexico.
“We wanted a Mexican fiesta feel and we will introduce Mexican dances, songs, costumes, and videos. Building curiosity with children is a fun thing because they really want to come and learn more about it,” Ulloa added. (Bea Cabrera)
