The Dalles Library Celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage Month
Jeannie Glaspy holds up the “junk journal” pages she made for Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month. Photo: Cole Goodwin
The Dalles Ore., April 30, 2024 — This May Dalles Wasco County Library is celebrating Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month, by hosting cultural appreciation events and activities including a poi fire dancing workshop and performance, origami, games, traditional foods, a 1,000 cranes community project and more.
The purpose of the event is to honor all the Asian and Pacific Islanders who've helped shape America's past and future.
”We try to appreciate everybody in town and we celebrate different heritage months,” said Jeannie Glaspy, a representative of The Dalles Library.
In the past the Library has hosted events for Native American Heritage Month, Pride Month, Black History Month and more.
The library will kick off the month with a 1,000 paper cranes community project.
During the month of May, community members can stop by the library to fold paper cranes with the goal of folding 1,000 paper cranes to send to the Children’s Peace Monument in Peace Memorial Park in the City of Hiroshima, Japan in memory of Sadako Sasaki. The project is a part of an international effort to promote global unity, peace and appreciation. It's a chance to learn the ancient Japanese tradition of paper folding, and join people worldwide in wishing for peace.
So far, community members have folded 120 cranes.
In Japanese folklore the crane (tsuru) is a strong majestic bird that mates for life and is said to live for a thousand years. It symbolizes honor, good fortune, loyalty, and longevity. It is said that one who folds 1,000 cranes may be granted a wish. Photo: Cole Goodwin
On the 2nd, things will get firey at the library when Pollyanna Lind will host a poi fire workshop and performance. If you’ve always wanted to learn to fire dance then tonight is your chance! The workshop begins at 7:30 p.m. and interested folks can register online. The performance, which requires no registration to attend starts at 7:30 p.m.
On May 7th and 14th community members can pick up Asian Pacific Heritage take and make kits which will be filled with recipes, crafts and more!
On May 8th Corallis Marsh will teach an introduction to Mah Jongg class at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Join Coralis to learn the basics of this traditional Chinese game and enjoy some asian treats!
Also on the 8th teens can gather at 3:30 p.m. to enjoy a flavor adventure of making “sushi” from candy.
On May 11th, a Junk Journaling glass will include Asian American embossing.
On the 17th, teens can join an origami workshop and finally on May 22nd teens are invited to a viewing party of Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
Throughout May, there will also be plenty of other events including Star Wars day at the library, Mother’s day themed crafts and much much more!
Let's make this month one to remember! See you at the library!
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