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María Isabel Flores wowed children as she read a story at La Hora Del Cuento – Spanish story time at Blenheim Library on Saturday.
Blenheim Library held its first Spanish read-and-tell session on Saturday to help Latin American children in the community connect with their language and culture.
La Hora Del Cuento (Story Time) was the brainchild of Marlborough Multicultural Center Osmith Community Associate Vides Contreras, who, with the help of the library, the Colombian Consulate in Wellington and volunteers from the Latino community in Blenheim, organized the event that had children laughing and they learned in unison.
The first session was led by Maria Isabel Flores, whose animated narration kept the children enthralled as she read a Spanish-language book about the creatures of the South American rainforest.
Originally from Chile and wearing a rainforest-inspired scarf, Flores said it was important to keep the Latin language and culture alive for future generations to read and enjoy.
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“I’m wearing this to represent the Amazon because the Amazon represents diversity in South America.
“I volunteered to share my language because I love the Spanish language and culture, and as a mother I understand that books are really important for learning and understanding our heritage for younger generations.
“Language is an important part of cultures all over the world, and Latino culture and diversity is very vibrant, and I think it’s a good idea to share that with the world,” Flores said.
Contreras said Marlborough’s Latino population was growing with former refugees and wine industry workers moving to the region.
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Project leader Osmith Vides Contreras reveals the newly purchased books from Colombia that were donated.
“The underlying principle of this project is to improve and promote Spanish language and literacy here in Marlborough.
“Literacy helps people understand their culture and through language you can do that. Language is culture, and culture is language. You can’t separate them.
“It is through language that people are able to express their feelings, emotions and values,” she said.
Contreras said she had amazing support from the community to help with the project and that the Colombian Consulate had been “incredibly interested and supportive,” donating books from all over South America.
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Filip Kopusar, 7, gets creative by coloring a Toucan that is native to the rainforests of South America.
Children and young people’s library librarian Tracey McKean said it was important that children had access to books from their homeland rather than generic books printed in Spanish.
“Many here are displaced from their countries, but the power of stories from home helps maintain ties to their culture, language, place and land.
“The vision is to provide a place for the community to come together to celebrate Spanish language, culture and history, and to help immigrants and former refugees feel more welcome.
“We’re hoping the project will snowball as more people become aware of it and see that there are opportunities to get involved,” McKean said.
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Flores was in inspiring form as she told a story about rainforest animals while wearing her Amazon-inspired costume.
One of the many people in attendance was Bianca Shepherd, who had brought her daughter with her in hopes that she would begin to learn more about the Spanish language and culture.
Originally from Romania, Shepherd said he saw many benefits from learning Spanish.
“I studied Spanish and I’m trying to get my daughter to learn it. My husband is a Kiwi so we don’t speak it at home so I would like her to learn more.
“It’s learning about the culture and the language. It’s much more colorful and will help him travel,” Shepherd said.
Contreras said reconnecting the children with Spanish would eventually help them master English.
“If you know your first language and literacy well, it will help you learn a second language faster.”
La Hora Del Cuento will be at Blenheim Library on the first Saturday of every month. Anyone wanting to attend or get involved can email [email protected] or ask in the library.
Chris McKeen/Stuff
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