Brooklyn Public Library Celebrates Multi-Lingual Holiday Traditions

Brooklyn is a borough where 47% of residents speak a language other than English at home, as Borough President Eric Adams is wont to remind us. This holiday season, the Brooklyn Public Library is capitalizing on that linguistic diversity, offering an expanded slate of holiday programming in myriad languages.

The “Everyone is Welcome Here” world language family series will feature holiday traditions from around the globe—and around the borough.

This afternoon, at 4:00 pm, Carlota Santana of Flamenco Vivo will present Navidad Flamenca at the Sunset Park Library. The work weaves together music, carols and dance from Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba and Puerto Rico, celebrating holiday traditions and the influence of the Spanish culture in the Americas.

On Sunday, December 10, singers and educators Shira & Friends will perform at the Mapleton Library. The Hanukah celebration will take place at at 2:30 pm, with singing and dancing for kids.

Then, on Wednesday, December 20, Kings Highway Library will feature a program of Russian folks tales for kids and families. The New Year’s celebration will take place and 3:30 pm, and feature Slavic folk characters like Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden.

Throughout December, singers Elenore Biezunski and Madeline Solomon will bring Yiddish Hanukah songs to the Ryder and Borough Park Libraries.

A successful library reflects the community it serves,” said Brooklyn Public Library President Linda Johnson. “Brooklyn Public Library’s multi-lingual resources and numerous cultural programs, generously supported by partners like Apple Bank, reflect the incredible diversity of the borough we serve.”