Discover Asian Culture At Eight Libraries

From the Hennepin County Library:

March 10, 2020

Learn more about Asian culture at eight libraries this spring. Explore Tibetan sand mandalas, Vietnamese traditional music, Hmong needlework and more. Funded by Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Events

Introduction to Hmong Needlework (Paj Ntaub)

Open to anyone 10 years old and older. Discover the unique patterns and rich history of the Hmong paj ntaub (pa dao). You will be able to select your own sewing pattern and work on it with instructor Mandora Young. Materials provided. Register online or contact Chaleng at 612-543-6247.

• Brooklyn Park Library, Tuesday, March 17, 24, 31, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

45 Years of Vietnamese-Americans In America: Celebrating Our Heritage

Discover Vietnamese history, music, and culture through the arts. Conversations with Châu Thụy, the author of Bloodstained Sea/Vực Xoáy and Simon Hòa-Phan, the film producer of Mother Tongue, Fatherland about the odyssey of the Vietnamese boat people and the Amerasian stories. Enjoy photos and arts exhibits, cultural performances, and a gathering of local authors, community leaders and organizations.

• Minneapolis Central Library, Saturday, April 4, 1-3 p.m.

Author Talk: Hà Tường

"Two Minnows" gives a poignant account of the fate of the soldiers and the people of South Vietnam after all American and allied forces left in 1973. Running out of resources and ammunition, they were compelled to lay down weapons and let fate decide. Instead of reporting to re-education camps and “welcoming Peace,” Dr Tường had chosen to risk his life in search for freedom. He was lucky to successfully restart his life in Minnesota and had been paying back by serving the children of his new country.

• Augsburg Park Library, Saturday, April 11, 2-3 p.m.

Author Talk: Saymoukda Duanphouxay Vongsay

Lao American writer Saymoukda Duangphouxay Vongsay will give a reading of her picture book "When Everything Was Everything," followed by an artist talk. Saymoukda was born in a Thai refugee camp and immigrated to Minnesota in 1985 where she learned how to be/not to be American on stolen Anishinaabe land. Join Saymoukda for discussions on "cultural ventriloquism," erasure, refugee lifehacks, migration and "itchy feet-ness," and claiming joy.

• Southdale Library, Saturday, April 18, 1-2 p.m.

Lao New Year or Pi Mai Celebration

Join us in celebrating the Lao New Year or Pi Mai with stories, a traditional blessing and folk dances to wish for good health, happiness, good luck, prosperity, and success. Feel free to attend in traditional clothing.

• Brookdale Library, Sunday, April 26, 1-3 p.m.

Traditional Tibetan Astrology

Tibetan astrologist Tenzing Sherap will discuss traditional Tibetan astrology and its relevance in the 21st century.

• Pierre Bottineau Library, Saturday, May 9, 3-4 p.m.

Vietnamese Traditional Music: History & Culture

Conversation with the artist Thi Vu about Vietnamese traditional musical instruments through the ages, following with her exquisite performance of Đàn bầu (the monochord), Đàn tranh (the 16–string zither), and T’rung (the Bamboo xylophone).

• Augsburg Park Library, Saturday, May 16, 2-3 p.m.

Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala

Learn about mandalas – beautiful sand structures created by Buddhist monks. Using colored sand, the process includes meditation, chanting and asking for healing blessings. The collected sand is then released back into nature in a river, symbolizing the impermanence of life and the world. Collaborator: Gyuto Wheel of Dharma Monastery.

• Edina Library, Saturday, May 16, 3-4 p.m.

Author Talk: Kate Anne Kang

Kate Gjerde (who writes under the pen name Kate Anne Kang) will read from and speak about the writing of her memoir "Given Away." The book is a portrait of a childhood spent in two very different worlds – Korea and America. It is a story of race and of belonging; a story that asks complicated questions of home, family and self.

• Brooklyn Park Library, Thursday, May 21, 6-7 p.m.

Children's Day in Japan

Celebrate and learn about Children's Day in Japan by experiencing Japanese music and creating Japanese crafts, including origami folding to make Kabuto (Samurai helmet) and Koinbori. Materials provided.

• St. Anthony Library, Saturday, May 23, 3-4 p.m.

This press release was produced by the Hennepin County Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.