U of A Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

Departments across the University of Arkansas and in our own Fulbright College are celebrating the observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which lasts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year, and honors the history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present.  

The U of A’s Hispanic Heritage Month festivities kick off with an Independence Day celebration from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15, on the Union Mall.  

Participants can join University Programs, the Multicultural Center and New Student and Family Programs in celebrating and learning about the many Latin American countries that share this anniversary of independence.  

The event will also feature tasty treats like pupusas, fruit, candy kits and entertainment from a live mariachi band. 

Additionally, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 15, Alejandro Villagran’s art exhibit will open with a reception in the Anne Kittrell Art Gallery. The reception will offer a meet and greet with Villagran as well as complimentary finger foods.  

The exhibit, featuring Villagran’s colorful drawings of pop-culture icons, will be open to the public Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. 

Be sure to visit the university’s Portraits of Progress site as well, to learn about the U of A’s Hispanic and Latinx pioneers and the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s website to learn more about the university’s heritage celebrations.  

About National Hispanic Heritage Month: The timing of National Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American nations. September 15 was chosen as the kickoff for the month because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Those five nations declared their independence from Spain on Sept. 15, 1821. 

According to the National Park Service’s official National Hispanic Heritage Month website, the term Hispanic refers to a person who is from, or is a descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish-speaking country. The term Latino/a or Latinx refers to a person who is from, or is a descendant of someone who is from, a country in Latin America. 

Parts of this story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication. 

Photo Credit: Traditional Mexican folklórico dancers on stage at La Fiesta de Tumacácori. Patrick L. Christman, photographer, 2017. National Park Service collection.