Great Barrington — This year, National Hispanic Heritage Month took place from September 15 to October 15. According to the United States Department of Education, the month is used to celebrate and recognize the contributions, diverse cultures, and histories of the American Latino community. It was originally established in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week but was extended to a month in 1988.
Communities throughout the United States have celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month, including Great Barrington which held its Festival Latino on September 24. On Friday, October 14, Spanish class students at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School were treated to a meal through local restaurants.
The food for the event was provided by Xicohténcatl Mexican Restaurant; Punto de Encuentro Latin Market, which provided hibiscus leaves for the traditional Mexican drink, Agua de Jamaica; and the Berkshire Food Co-Op, which provided compostable utensils and plates, along with fresh lemons and limes for the Agua de Jamaica.
“I think it’s very important for young people to learn about different cultures,” school Spanish teacher Mercedes Girona said. “With our classes, I have tried to make culture accessible for the students to make it interesting and engaging. This way it doesn’t feel like ‘oh, today we’re going to learn about these other people.’ I want to make sure that the students understand that there are cultures that are part of their community. It’s something that will hopefully spark a lifelong interest in exploring the world and their surroundings.”
Girona said that it’s important for both children and adults to connect and learn about other cultures in their communities all year round, and not just during National Hispanic Heritage Month. “I hope that everybody has a curiosity about the people that are around them so we can all exist together,” she said. “I think we all have that responsibility. It can be joyful, and it can also be difficult because of the inequities. But we all must connect to other cultures so we can all exist together. We all have a responsibility to care for one another.”
