The University Libraries and the Latin American Studies Center will celebrate the addition of over 100 book titles by indigenous authors and about Andean topics to the libraries’ collections in the Nahuatl Evening on Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The Nahuatl Evening features speakers, performances and books on display, and will formally recognize the additions to the University Libraries’ collections including children’s books, adult literature, poetry and more.
The initiative to expand the libraries collection started back in 2019 when a student asked Romance Languages Librarian Kathia Ibacache for help locating books written by Indigenous authors in the libraries. Ibacache found the request eye-opening.
“University libraries are important participants in keeping alive traditions from around the world that are at risk of dying out,” said Ibacache, who worked to expand the collections and wrote a paper on the topic. “As librarians, it’s appropriate for us to strengthen library collections by adding works about indigenous languages and cultures, especially those from indigenous authors so that these languages, creators and works continue to be part of the global narrative.”
At the Nahuatl Evening, three speakers, including Ibacache and Director of the Latin American Studies Center Leila Gomez, will talk about the research, courses and conferences at CU Boulder in support of Latin American Indigenous languages and cultures. The event will also feature performances by Mexican Nahuatl poet Fabiola Carrillo Tieco, the Boulder Children’s Chorale and a Quechua musical group. The Boulder Children’s Chorale consists of four ensembles for students from kindergarten through ninth grade. They focus on helping expose children to diverse, quality choral repertoire while building their abilities as musicians and a love for singing! Their two auditioned ensembles, Bel Canto and Volante, will be performing “Koonex” and “Macochi Cochi Pitentzin.”
Dozens of books collected as part of Ibacache’s work to expand the libraries’ indigenous language titles will be available for attendees to browse and check-out.
Discover the role that universities can play in the revitalization of Latin American indigenous languages and cultures Thursday, October 28 from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. in the Center for British and Irish Studies on the fifth floor of Norlin Library. The event is free and open to the public.
The Boulder Children's Chorale will perform two Latin American language songs at Nahuatl Evening.