Bilingual book parade in Flint intertwines Mexican, Latin culture and literacy

FLINT, MI — If you‘re looking to celebrate Mexican heritage or eager to learn more about cultural folklore with a modern day twist, here’s the place to go.

El Ballet Folkórico Estudiantil (EBFE) will host its second of four events in its Children’s Bilingual Book Parade at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library, located at 1026 E. Kearsley St.

This vibrant series of free educational events is being held in partnership with the Gloria Coles Flint Public Library and is designed to celebrate Hispanic culture and literacy.

“(EBFE‘s) mission and our mission align on educating the community on different cultural aspects,” Shana Rowser, the library‘s marketing and community relations coordinator, said of the partnership with EBFE and other local community organizations to achieve their goal of spreading knowledge about the arts through its programming. “Our goal is to enrich children’s lives through dance, music, education, food, crafts.”

Each event is centered around a bilingual children’s book, brought to life through live music, engaging crafts, delicious cuisine and traditional games, which stays true to the mission statement of EBFE.

EBFE is a non-profit organization focused on preserving Mexican culture and enriching children’s lives through dance, music, and education.

Its mission is to enrich the community by providing opportunities to experience the vibrant traditions of Hispanic culture.

“We are really lucky to have the opportunity to launch a Spanish literacy program, thanks to the Community Foundation of Greater Flint,” said Alysia Treviño, organizational development coordinator for EBFE. “We really really want to share our cultural traditions with families who may not be familiar with the library and promote that resource.”

The events provide a unique opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the beauty of Hispanic traditions while fostering a love for reading and bilingualism.

Attendees will dive into the legendary tale passed down through generations in Mexico with a reading from “La Llorona,” by author María Isabel Rueda.

“This tale has been passed down through generations in Mexico,” Treviño said. “We are doing a different reading of it, and we love how this tells the story for young readers. The story is of a mother crying, looking for her lost children.

“In this rendition and selection, ‘La Llorona’ will be a gentle retelling that symbolizes the earth itself as the mother, crying for the harm that we are inflicting upon this place we call home. Everyone can expect to immerse themselves in another culture, eat some delicious food and enjoy a classic story.”

The event will also feature education on the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead.

The event will also include live music from talented Mariachi musicians, traditional crafts and games, as well as Mexican cuisine, including pan de muerto — a traditional dessert served for Día de los Muertos.

The Day of the Dead, a 3,000-year-old tradition, honors loved ones that have passed, and to be closer to them during this time, she said.

It’s an important distinction that the Day of the Dead isn’t a Mexican equivalent to Halloween, Treviño said, as it dates back to pre-Columbian times.

“Mexican people are happy to share it with other communities. It’s just a rich tradition that comes with so many different elements of food, family, music, and building the ofrenda,” Treviño said. “As of midnight on Oct. 31, the lines between the living and the dead are blurred. The next two days allow the living to pay homage and to remember and honor their loved ones, inviting them back to visit.

While at the library, residents can sign up for library cards as well, and there will be both English and Spanish registration options to ensure the help for newcomers.

The final two events of the Children’s Bilingual Book Parade will take place on Jan. 4 and April 26, 2025.

This event is sponsored by the Genesee County Millage Fund, the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the Michigan Council for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the C.S. Mott Foundation.

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