HAAPI members at last year’s AAPI Heritage Month event.
An upcoming festival will feature familiar culture and traditions for some, and a new educational experience for others.
The Harrisburg Asian American Pacific Islander (HAAPI) group will celebrate AAPI Heritage Month on May 19 and 20, showcasing the history, culture and achievements of its community.
“There’s such an unawareness of the deep AAPI culture,” said HAAPI member Ellen Min. “It’s these great community events that expose people to the culture. It’s a month to celebrate and amplify our heritage.”
The event will kick off on Friday with a free author talk at Midtown Scholar Bookstore featuring Wajahat Ali discussing his book, “Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American.”
Following the discussion, Midtown Cinema will host a free screening of “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which made history as the first film to win over six Oscars.
Festival attendees can continue the movie watching on Saturday with a showing of the documentary “Feeling Asian American,” including a Q&A with the film’s director and cast.
Capping off the celebrations will be a photo story exhibit by HAAPI members at Crawdaddy’s Restaurant on N. 6th Street.
All events, besides the author discussion, require online registration.
Through these events, Min hopes that local AAPI residents will find community and connection. At last year’s heritage month event, three members of the local AAPI community stumbled upon the celebration and later joined HAAPI and still show up to almost every meeting, Min said. She explained how the group has helped people find their identity and connect with a community that shares similar experiences.
But HAAPI members also share the goal of exposing those outside their community to their culture, combatting anti-Asian hate and telling stories that often go untold.
“It’s really a showcasing of people’s stories,” Min said. “Our stories are so layered and rich and beautiful.”
For more information about HAAPI’s AAPI Heritage Month Celebration or to register for events, click here.
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