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How I Got Lost on the Way to Hispanic Heritage Month



Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th and runs until October 15th. I’ve been planning on devoting some space to it here and have begun the process of collecting information. And then a funny thing happened. I got sidetracked.

My husband was treated to a special lunch yesterday by a coworker who explained that his family was celebrating what he described as Korean Thanksgiving. “Oh!” I thought. I wonder if that’s related to the announcement I saw for an event at Wilde Lake High School this Sunday.


Korean Society of Maryland 


Chuseok (or hangawi) is one of the biggest holidays in South Korea. It’s a time when families gather together to give thanks to their ancestors for an abundant autumn harvest.

Sometimes called Korean Thanksgiving, Chuseok is celebrated with good food, wine, and family  gatherings. It typically takes place in September or October, according to the lunar calendar. - -Everything You Need to Know about Korean Thanksgiving , 90 Day Korean web

Well, let me find out more about Chuseok in Howard County, then.

And that is how I discovered … the Mid Autumn Festival, quite by accident. (Not to be confused with Chuseok)

It’s time to hang a lantern, share a mooncake and peel a pomelo – Mid-Autumn Festival is here.

Falling on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, it’s celebrated primarily in East and Southeast Asia and is a time for families to gather to sample autumn harvests, light lanterns and admire what’s believed to be the fullest moon of the year.

In 2024, the Mid-Autumn Festival, or the Moon Festival, falls on September 17. - - Mid-Autumn Festival: Mooncakes, lanterns and so much more, CNN Travel

The Howard County Libraries hosted a celebration on September 14th at the Central Branch entitled “Dances of the Mid-Autumn Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival”. And on September 28 The Howard County Chinese Cultural Center will be presenting a gala at the Jim Rouse Theatre.


Howard County Chinese Cultural Center 



At this point you probably won’t be surprised that, while doing further research, I happened to learn about:


Indian Cultural Association of Howard County, Maryland


Yes, this weekend at the Howard County Fairgrounds, the Indian Cultural Association of Howard County, Maryland presents a Festival of India.

The Indian Cultural Association is proud to present the FESTIVAL OF INDIA – DIWALI MELA to celebrate our Culture, History, and Heritage. On September 21st and 22nd, 2024, all roads lead to Howard County Fairgrounds for a taste of all things Indian! 

Wait a minute. “Diwali Mela.” Diwali is a holiday, isn’t it? I wonder…

And that, my friends, is how I started with Hispanic Heritage Month and ended up researching Diwali Mela. And did you know that More Than Java Café in Savage Mill is celebrating all things Jamaican this Saturday?

More Than Java Café



In the meantime, mark your calendar for this event in early October.




And don’t forget this season’s final Lakefront Live this Saturday. It’s a Latin Dance Night. 




If you have more local info about this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, send it my way.



 

 




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