The International Cultural Center proudly hosted an International Cultural Café in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month

Auburn University’s International Cultural Center in the Office of International Programs honored Hispanic Heritage Month with an educational and festive celebration at their International Cultural Café.

Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized from September 15 through October 15. This month-long celebration honors the culture and history of Hispanic/Latino Americans and recognizes the growth and significant contributions of the Hispanic community in the United States.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the current Hispanic population is 63.7 million, making it the largest ethnic minority population in the country. Thirteen states have populations of at least one million Hispanic residents, so fostering an understanding of Hispanic culture is an important undertaking.

Guest speaker Yury Morales, accountant for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, talked about the cultural diversity that exists in Mexico, as well as Mexican traditions and popular food dishes. She shared that the Mexican territory has 68 indigenous groups who have their own native languages, offering a broad spectrum of cultural and linguistic diversity. Morales also highlighted a few Mexican traditions, including the Desfile de Alebrijes and La Quebrada Jump. Desfile de Alebrijes is an annual parade that showcases Mexican art and handcrafts. The event features brightly colored creatures called alebrijes, which are made of papier-mâché and combine real and fantasy animals. The alebrijes can have multiple heads, wings, hooves and different faces. The creatures are typically accompanied by musicians, clowns, people in costume and more. La Quebrada Jump is a cliff diving performance held in Acapulco, Mexico. The live event showcases performers diving from 135-foot cliffs into the Pacific Ocean. This remarkable spectacle has become a famous tradition, and Acapulco is now a renowned location to visit.

Along with the interesting educational discussion, Morales also provided attendees with a Mexican cultural cuisine experience by bringing an assortment of tacos and conchas for people to sample.

The International Cultural Café is on the last Thursday of every month and aims to connect Auburn students, faculty and staff with the international and domestic communities on campus through culture, conversation and connection. It is an opportunity to educate and increase awareness and understanding of the international cultural diversity represented on Auburn’s campus and in the community.

“This month’s International Cultural Café was especially meaningful to me because we highlighted my culture, the uniqueness of its diversity, and why this month is so special,” said Mariela Delgado Rivero, education coordinator, International Cultural Center.

To attend an International Cultural Café event or learn more about the International Cultural Center, visit auburn.edu/international/icc. For specific questions, please contact Adeola Fayemi (aof0006@auburn.edu), the ICC chair and director of intercultural education and inclusion.

Written by Mavis Burroughs, Intern, Office of International Programs