By Ryan Barrera
Senior Staff Writer

To increase events promoting Latin American culture on campus, M.E.Ch.A and the Advisory Board for Spanish at California State University, Bakersfield held an event on Saturday.

The event was called “Night of Culture” and the night was filled with traditional food, clothing and dances from Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala. Seeing a lack of cultural events at CSUB and the decline of Spanish majors, the newly formed Advisory Board for Spanish at CSUB partnered with M.E.Ch.A to put together “Night of Culture” to encourage students to study Spanish, French and Chinese, and also showcase Latin American culture.

Carlo Stresino, who is on the Advisory Board for Spanish, is working with Dr. Anthony Nuño to bring awareness to the modern languages and literature department after viewing a decline in Spanish majors at CSUB.

“We’re trying to bring more importance to the modern language department and attract more students to the department so they enroll. We’re trying to change our perspective in the department, instead of focusing more on language, we’re focusing more on culture,” said Stresino.

The event held true to that as men and women wore the traditional Mexican, Peruvian and Guatemalan garb and performed folklorico dances native to their country. Folklorico is a traditional term for Latin American dances that highlight local folk culture with ballet characteristics.

“I think it’s really nice that they do these events to preserve the culture,” said Norma Uribe, a high school student, who participated in the folklorico dancing.

During the performances people in attendance could try a Salvadorian quesadilla, which is very different from the melted cheese inside a tortilla many are used to. A Salvadorian quesadilla is more like a pound cake with similar ingredients. Tostadas with black beans, lettuce and cheese, could also be purchased. Another item guests could try was Guatemalan tamale, similar to Mexican tamales but wrapped in a banana leaf instead of a cornhusk.

“They’re really interesting,” said Eric Garcia, president of M.E.Ch.A, when describing the last menu item: grasshoppers, marinated in lemon, salt and garlic and then fried.

“They’re pretty good actually.” The grasshoppers are a custom of Oaxaca, Mexico.

Night of Culture is just the start of events to come to bring awareness to Latin American culture as well as the modern languages and literature department. The modern language department plans on bringing a week of free events starting Nov.5 in the Dezember Leadership Development Center, room 407.“Our school lacks cultural events. The event is taking place in order to exhibit and promote Latin American culture,” said Garcia.