Evanston celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month with the annual Umbrella Arts Festival was held in Fountain Square earlier this month on May 13.
Attendees took part in the fun with activities including hand painting Japanese carp shaped flags called Koinobori to symbolize children and family, creating mandala circles which are used in both Hindu and Buddhist practices as a representation of the universe and experiencing the grace of the Flying Fairies Chinese Dance troupe.
Festival founder, Melissa Raman Molitor, says this is the third year celebrating the event in Evanston.
The Umbrella Arts Festival is a celebration of Asian, South Asian and Pacific Islander culture and art in an event designed to increase visibility and community.
“The festival was created in response to anti-Asian hate rhetoric and violence, as an opportunity to raise awareness, to educate people in experiences and conversations through the arts,” Molitor said.
The umbrella symbolizes the ASPA diaspora which includes a diversity of ethnicities from over 40 countries around the world, inclusive of the many intersections of identities that exist in our communities, Molitor says.
The festival was free and open to the public, offering arts and entertainment to all ages.
Special guest speakers included Mayor Daniel Biss, and Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita with participating vendors, performers, artists and arts organizations all taking part.
Mayor Biss addressed the crowd saying that the festival has become a cherished tradition in Evanston, where despite the national climate of hate and violence, Evanston remains a place where true diversity can thrive.
Festival MC, Randy Kim, producer and host of “The Banh Mi Chronicles” podcast, presided over Saturday’s event.
“Amplifying visibility in our community — which has been rendered invisible — is vital to us,” Kim said. “Our community deserves to be protected and we need permission to tell our stories, to tell our history. This festival allows us to share a part of this legacy.”
The Umbrella Arts Festival on Saturday, a celebration of Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander culture and art. Maria Ging of Los Angeles, CA, Geraldine Martinez Benz of Evanston and Lynne Manson of Racine, WI.
According to the Umbrella Arts Festival website, the event is designed to engage the community-at-large in collective experiences that work to dispel harmful myths and narratives about the ASPA community.
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Marti Bjornson of Evanston who attended the festival said, “We have a diverse population and it is wonderful as Evanstonians, to celebrate together with all ages learning about the richness of Asian Pacific peoples.”
Gina Grillo is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.