International Mother
Language Celebration
From Small Beginnings to Community Tradition
What started in 2018 with 12 students and a modest exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum has grown into one of San Jose's most anticipated multicultural gatherings. Each year, 400+ participants come together through youth art exhibitions, cultural performances, and hands-on workshops, but the real magic is how it grows. Families who attended once now volunteer, students who exhibited art return as mentors, and parents who watched their children perform now help organize. This organic growth happened because we listened deeply to what our multilingual communities actually wanted: not just representation, but co-creation.
Media Coverage
Creating Spaces Where Everyone Contributes
The celebration brings together South Indian classical dancers, Mexican folklórico groups, Chinese performing artists, Mayan dancers, and Armenian and Turkish folk traditions, each group helping shape the event rather than just performing in it. Young artists submit work exploring their linguistic identity, accompanied by statements about how their mother language influences their creative voice. We rotate venues between the Children's Discovery Museum, Parque de los Pobladores, and neighborhood centers, partnering with local businesses for prizes. This distributed model means the celebration belongs to the entire community, not just one institution.
Virtual Year: Online Exhibit
When the pandemic hit, instead of canceling, we pivoted, building a virtual gallery in Art Steps so families could tour the youth exhibit from home. Even online, we maintained that community feeling through live artist talks and virtual workshops. This adaptability showed me that strong communities aren't about perfect events; they're about consistent presence and genuine care. Whether coordinating six dance groups, securing venues, managing volunteers, or creating promotional materials, every decision starts with one question: how does this strengthen the connections between people?
