A relatively new organization advancing recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islanders culture in Lancaster County is partnering with The Arts at Millersville and St. James Episcopal Church to offer two special programs starting Friday to celebrate May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
The Lancaster Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, which was incorporated in July 2023, is partnering with The Arts at Millersville to present a free live food demonstration showcasing Asian cuisine from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at The Ware Center at 42 N. Prince St. in Lancaster city.
The organization is teaming up with St. James Episcopal Church at 4 p.m. May 12 to offer a program of ancient music popular during China’s Tang dynasty. New York-based Eurasia Consort will present the program at the church at 119 N. Duke St. in Lancaster city. Tickets for the music program are $25 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased at lanc.news/EurasiaConsort.
“The Asian American community has existed in Lancaster for a long time, but we have all remained quiet, and there has not been an organization advocating for what is right for us until now,” said Cindy Lam Guo, president of Lancaster Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. “We want people to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans in the United States but also here in Lancaster.”
Congress chose May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 1992 because it coincides with the arrival of the nation’s first Japanese immigrants in May 1843 and Chinese workers’ significant role in building the transcontinental railroad, which was completed in 1869.
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The national theme for this year’s observance is “Advancing…
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