Long Beach Public Library Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Community Programs

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PRESS RELEASE

Above: Attendees enjoy performances and activities at previous Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month programs hosted by Long Beach Public Library.

Long Beach, CA- The Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) has announced its annual celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, taking place from May 1-31, 2025. Throughout the month, the library will host a variety of engaging and educational programs that honor the rich cultural traditions, histories and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in Long Beach.

"We are committed to providing spaces for community members to come together and celebrate the diverse cultures that shape Long Beach," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "These programs offered by LBPL not only highlight the artistic and cultural contributions of AAPI communities, but also encourage meaningful conversations and shared experiences."

The celebration will kick off with a special AAPI Heritage Month Opening Event at Billie Jean King Main Library (200 W. Broadway) on Saturday, May 3 from noon to 4 p.m. This exciting event will feature a performance by Modern Aspara, a local traditional Cambodian dance group, followed by a screening of the acclaimed documentary "New Wave." The film, directed by Elizabeth Ai, explores the experiences of Vietnamese families navigating generational trauma. A post-screening Q&A session will be moderated by Ky-Phong Paul Tran, an educator at Renaissance High School for the Arts.

"Libraries are more than just places to borrow books-they are cultural hubs where stories are shared, preserved, and celebrated," said Cathy DeLeon, Director of Library, Arts, and Culture. "We are honored to celebrate the many cultures that make up our city's vibrant AAPI community through programs that reflect diverse voices and often underrepresented stories. AAPI Heritage Month offers a powerful opportunity for learning, reflection, and connection, and we are proud to provide inclusive spaces where every resident feels seen, valued, and inspired to explore new perspectives."

As AAPI Heritage Month unfolds, all 12 Long Beach Public Library locations will host a vibrant array of free programs for children, teens and adults. Highlights include hands-on activities like a Chinese paper lantern craft workshop led by local artist Emmy Lam and The Manga Connection to Old Japan, a teen manga drawing series with artist Sunny Seki. Additionally, The Music Center of Los Angeles will present a dynamic rotation of cultural performances across multiple library branches, featuring traditional Korean music and dance, Indian mythology through dance storytelling, and interactive theatrical presentations celebrating AAPI folktales and heritage. AAPI Month will conclude with the grand opening of the Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection, a special event featuring guest speakers, a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a Filipino Family Storytime celebrating community storytelling and cultural pride. These events are designed to celebrate the richness of AAPI cultures while fostering creativity, learning and cross-cultural appreciation for all ages.

These events are just a glimpse of the exciting and educational programs lined up throughout May. To view the full calendar of AAPI events, visit the Long Beach Public Library's events calendar. Residents can also stay updated by following LBPL on Facebook, X and Instagram. More information about the Filipino American Cultural Heritage Collection event will be announced in the coming weeks.

All AAPI programs are generously funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Friends of the Long Beach Public Library.

About the City of Long Beach
Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

For more information about the City of Long Beach, visit longbeach.gov/. Follow us on social to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram and YouTube. For more information about the Long Beach Public Library visit www.lbpl.org and follow @lbcitylibrary on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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