Celebrate Hmong: Saint Paul Public Library Offers Two Program Series Celebrating Hmong Culture

The Saint Paul Public Library is hosting three Qhia Dab Neeg, Best of the Fest Short Films screenings in November.

Qhia Dab Neeg is an annual international film festival presented by In Progress and Metropolitan State University to recognize and advance filmmaking and storytelling in the Hmong community. Select short films from the festival held in June 2017 will be shown at Hayden Heights Library, 1456 White Bear Avenue on November 8 at 6 p.m.; George Latimer Central Library, 90 W 4th Street, on November 12 at 2 p.m.; and Dayton’s Bluff Library 645 E 7th Street, on November 16 at 6 p.m. The filmmakers will lead discussions of the films afterwards.

Also in November, George Latimer Central Library will host a photo exhibit on Hmong tattoo art featuring the photography of Melissa Vang. The exhibit will run from November 2-30 and hours will be Mondays from 4:30-7:30 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and Saturdays from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Melissa Vang will lead a special presentation and discussion about her project on Monday, November 6 at 6 p.m.

The Hmong Tattoo Exhibit has been organized by the Hmong Museum and the Hmong Tattoo Crew, an artist collaboration between Tou SaiKo Lee, Melissa Vang, and Touchaing Yang.

About 100 Years/100 Stories
In 2017, the Saint Paul Public Library is celebrating the centennial of four of our earliest buildings: Arlington Hills, which is now Eastside Freedom Library, George Latimer Central, Riverview, and Saint Anthony. 100 Years/100 Stories is an expanding collection of stories from our community, as told through written word, photography, audio, and video. They are all unique, and yet they share a similar thread of living and learning in St. Paul. We are proud to have been a gathering place for St. Paul residents for 100 years and look forward to serving the city for 100 more.

About Saint Paul Public Library
Saint Paul Public Library connects people in St. Paul with the imperative and the joy of learning through a lifetime. Saint Paul residents can enjoy free access to technology, books, movies, music, classes and more. They are at 12 neighborhood libraries, George Latimer Central Library, the Bookmobile, and online at sppl.org.