Join the Annual Plaza de las Americas Friday

International Culture Team

Dancing the Marinera from Peru.

To kick off this year's Hispanic Heritage Month at the University of Arkansas, is the annual Plaza de las Americas. It will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, in the Arkansas Union Ballroom. It will feature music, dancing, food, friendship and more in a celebration of Latin American and Spanish speaking cultures in Arkansas. There will be booths to represent the various Latin American countries and provide an educational opportunity to learn about all the cultures south of the border.

At these country booths you can talk to the host about the country they are from or have lived in. They will share cultural items or photos to help you visualize their country more. Also, you will have the opportunity to visit "tertulia" tables to have conversations and play games with fluent Spanish-speaking students and volunteers. 

Currently, we have booths for Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rice, Uruguay, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Ecuador, and Spain represented at the event. We are still looking for presenters for Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.

Music will be featured by the UA Latin Band Ensemble and Flute Ensemble with dance performances from Peru and Panama. You can learn a few steps of Latin dances such as Salsa and Soca, and have the opportunity to play Bingo in Spanish.

Plaza de las Americas has been a celebration of the Hispanic community in Northwest Arkansas since 2005, and is only one of many events taking place for more than a month throughout the area.

Sponsors for Plaza de las Americas include: Latin American and Latino Studies, World Languages, Center for Multicultural and Diversity Education, International Students and Scholars, University Housing, Study Abroad, Spring International Language Center, La Oficina Latina, New Student and Family Programs, U of A Hispanic Heritage Month Committee.