3 October, 2022
October is Global Diversity Awareness Month and the Hopkinton Library is celebrating cultural diversity with many different displays and programs for all ages. In addition to displays on “Own Voices: The American Immigrant Experience,” “German Heritage” and “Italian Heritage,” adults can participate in our monthly take-and-make, which in October, will be an origami star. Children can participate in a scavenger hunt that highlights the different diverse books in our collection. Adults and teens can participate in one or all four of the films featured in our “Global Diversity Awareness Film Festival.” On Saturday, October 15th, from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, we will be showing the Arabic and Hebrew film, Ajami. Through the dramatic collision of different worlds, we witness cultural and religious tensions simmering beneath the surface and the tragic consequences of enemies living as neighbors.
On October 22nd from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, we will be showing the English and Mandarin film, The Farewell, about Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi, who returns home under the guise of a family wedding to find that her beloved Nai-Nai has only weeks to live - and that her relatives have decided not to tell her.
On Wednesday, October 26th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, join us for the French and Arabic film, Wadjda. Wadjda, a fun-loving 10-year-old girl living in Saudi Arabia, has her heart set on a beautiful new bicycle. However, her mother won't allow it, fearing repercussions from a society that sees bicycles as dangerous to a girl's virtue. Determined to turn her dreams into reality and buy the bike on her own, Wadjda uncovers the contradictions and opportunities ingrained in her world. Hilarious, heartbreaking and inspiring all at once, this groundbreaking film has charmed critics and audiences all over the globe.
Our last film in the series, the Hindi film, Billu, will be shown on Saturday, October 29th from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. Billu mentions to his family that he was once a friend of superstar Sahir Khan (Shahrukh Khan). Sahir Khan happens to come to the village to shoot a film and Billu's children spread the rumor that their father is his childhood friend. The villagers, on hearing their Billu could be their ticket to meeting the star, shower him with gifts and promises on condition that Billu make contact for them. Were Billu and Sahir childhood friends? Will Sahir meet with the villagers?
While celebrating Global Diversity in October, we are also celebrating local celebrities at our Local Author Fair on Saturday, October 15th from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. Come hear local authors read from their work. Kathryn Hulick is the author of two books for teens, Welcome to the Future: Robot Friends, Fusion Energy, Pet Dinosaurs, and More (Quarto, 2021) and Strange But True: 10 of the World's Greatest Mysteries Explained (Quarto, 2019). As a freelance science journalist, she contributes to Science News Explores, Muse magazine, and Front Vision. An interior designer by day, Betsy Ellor lives near the beach in a house filled with color and chaos. When not at her desk, she’s usually either hiking, hunting for shells, or chasing either her son or dog. She’s the editor for the anthology Heroic Care and the author of the picture book, My Dog is NOT a Scientist which releases this spring from Yeehoo Press. Nanette A. Kenrick is the author of Secret Letters to my Psychiatrist, a collection of stories inspired by the story of Scheherazade, the female storyteller in One Thousand and One Nights. Robert W. Foster lives in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Robert is the author of Decisions, Decisions, Michael's Eyes, and Jonah's Judgment.
Each author will read from their work and answer questions. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the talk. If you would like to read their books before the event, ask for them at the Circulation Desk at the Library.
As always, my door is open.
Nanci M. Hill
Library Director
