Contributors from both the stage and our Philadelphia community discuss what their Hispanic heritage means to them.
Hispanic Heritage Month was established in 1968 as a way to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the culture, history, and achievements of the United State. It is recognized annually from September 15— October 15.
Every year, the Kimmel Cultural Campus celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the Latinx artists, creators, and community members that bring their talents to the Philadelphia region. See below for their answers to the question — “What does your Hispanic Heritage mean to you?”
“For me, heritage is my blessing and my superpower. Every time I’m faced with an existential question that needs a creative answer, I can tap into all of the shared traditions and experiences from 660 million of my fellow Latinx around the world! It is an infinite wealth of possibility.”
Lina Gonzalez-Granados
Conducting Fellow, The Philadelphia Orchestra
“To be Hispanic means to be passionate, visceral and spontaneous. I would use these same words to describe the Philadelphia Ballet. I’m so proud to be sharing Spanish heritage month with you all and look forward to our continued celebration of this beautiful culture.”
Angel Corella
Artistic Director, Philadelphia Ballet
“As a Puerto Rican living in the US, I straddle two cultures, Hispanic and American; two languages, Spanish and English; and two perspectives, from the island and the mainland. Some might view this as conflicting, but to me it is fitting and invaluable. This duality is part of my heritage, and it is integral to who I am, to what I do, and at the core of all I have achieved.”
Jennifer Rodriguez
President & CEO, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
“Who are we if not an integral part of the backbone of America? Our history, music, and culture have been shaped by the colonizers’ sword and cross. Growing up in the U.S. as an immigrant from Argentina taught me to embrace the nuance of the past to help shape the narratives of tomorrow.”
Belén Moyano
Actress, National Tour of Hadestown
"Support is of utmost importance when it comes to my heritage. I have grown up being taught that family is everything. Without each other, we are nothing. This is a useful foundation with my artistic familia, using love and support to build an artistic tribe that can move forward together creatively."
Joe Gonzalez
Dancer, PHILADANCO!
"If (my work) impacts Latino youth and especially teen-age girls, and if it inspires them to say, 'Hey, there is a Puerto Rican-Cuban woman who is successful at something that I didn't even know was out there,' that's really cool."
Ana María Martínez
Soprano, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
“There is no Iron Chef Jose Garces without my Hispanic heritage. Every aspect of my career has been so inextricably intertwined with my heritage; from the memories of watching my paternal abuela, Mamita Amada and her hands lovingly crafting the empanadas I grew up on; to my post-culinary school travels and work in Spain, which informed so much of my technique and passion for Spanish food; there is no way to separate my career from my heritage.
My Ecuadorian background, and by extension, my connection to the entire Latin world are incredibly important to me and it's my honor to share my culture with the world through food.”
Chef José Garces
Restaurant Owner, Author, and Iron Chef
“My Dad immigrated to the US from the Dominican Republic in his teens. The youngest of 19 kids, he taught us that “familia” is one of the bedrocks of our culture and goes beyond our shared languages and bloodline. That sense of family has become an integral part of how I see the world and how I approach my music.”
Brandon Delgado
Actor, National Tour of Anastasia