Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 with events planned throughout.
Food, dance and music started off Hispanic Heritage Month at Elon at the HHM Kickoff festival on Friday, Sept. 13, at Lakeside Plaza.
The N.C. Brazilian Arts Project performed Afro-Brazilian dances and Capoeira and taught the audience how to Samba. The Huepa Culture and Arts Institute performed Fandango and Checumbia, both Latin American dances.
Food was provided by Elon Dining and several local Hispanic restaurants. Chefs from the university collaborated with students to create authentic food from Spanish-speaking countries, said Diana Prieto Viñas, the assistant director for El Centro de Español in the Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education.
Local vendors also showcased their work at the kickoff including Carmen Benitez, who was selling traditional Mexican clothing and artifacts, and Luz Maya, who was selling Colombian handbags and ponchos. Yholima Vargas-Pedroza was selling paintings and handbags made by indigenous Colombians.
Members of the Elon community were also able to donate to support hurricane relief in the Bahamas at the kickoff festival as two of the larger islands, Abaco and Grand Bahama were severely impacted.
Hispanic Heritage Month is important as the Hispanic population in the United States is growing, Prieto Viñas explained. The event allowed students and other Elon community members to have fun while learning about different cultures.
“We had a great turnout, people were engaged and I think it was a great opportunity for everybody to come and learn about Spanish-speaking cultures and enjoy it in a different way that’s not sitting in a classroom,” said Prieto Viñas.