The McAllen Public Library will host an international festival Feb. 8, launching its new World Languages Collection. The festival will celebrate the successful introduction of new materials offered in Korean, Tagalog and Hindi.
The festival will include food, visual displays, story time, and arts and crafts activities. Guests of all ages can also enjoy stories featuring multi-lingual storytellers including Cat Avila and Dr. Mohammed Uddin.
Additionally, a temporary exhibit of Korean Lanterns is on loan to the City of McAllen from the city of Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The City of Jinju famously hosts a world-renowned lantern festival every year. The library is set to glow with more than a dozen giant lit sculptures. They depict Korean characters, folk games, animals, instruments and other shapes of cultural significance.
Complimentary food samples come from some of McAllen’s diverse restaurants including Kusina, Kabob Guys, and Seoul Asian Market and Café. Free children’s crafts and activities come from the library nd collaborating community organizations. Rounding out the entertainment is an energetic demonstration of K-pop by Moonlight Dance Team.
The World Languages Festival is a part of a week-long celebration of international culture and languages. Discover Languages Week runs Feb. 2-8 with special programs at all three McAllen Public Library locations.
Discover Languages Week includes:
- Chinese Calligraphy – Just for Teens – McAllen Public Library, Feb. 4 at 6:30 p.m.
- Origami for Adults – McAllen Public Library, Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. – noon
- Duolingo – Lark Branch Library, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m.
- Bilingual Story Time – Palm View Library, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.
- World Read Aloud Day – Families – McAllen Public Library, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.
- World Languages Festival – Everyone – McAllen Public Library, Feb. 8 from 3-5 p.m.