Kapwa!: Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Celebration

Join us for a Celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month including intergenerational stories, music, appetizers/desserts from Oak Park APIDA restaurants, and kids arts and crafts activities.

This free event will take place from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, May 31 at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St.

The event is being coordinated by the Village, Oak Park Public Library and community volunteers.

Register to attend

Event Schedule

9:15 to 9:45 a.m.:

• Asian breakfast food, games, arts/crafts, mingling

9:45 -11 a.m. to feature:

• Band Sona Umbra helping us create a collective song
• Writer M.G. Bertulfo inspiring us to create homemade books and comics
• Performances from Oak Park and River Forest High School's Pan-Asian Leadership Society (PALS)
• Writer Isabel Garcia-Gonzales facilitating a creative writing/artmaking activity
• Also featuring raffles for APIDA-themed books and giveaways
• Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable tableware (plate, cup, utensils) for sustainability, although we will also have eco-friendly tableware available.

*definitions of Kapwa: 

“Shared identity. Us-ness. Shared humanity.” - Carl Lorenz Cervantes

“We are all one. The other person is also yourself. Connectedness.” - Professor Jun De Leon

Please note: The month of May is recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Illinois. Other organizations also honor this month as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Month.

When

Location

Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL, 60301, View Map