A Tribute to Pura Belpré

El Barrio, New York (UCTP Taino News) – PRdream/MediaNoche will host a marathon reading of the short stories of Pura Belpré from 2-4pm on Saturday, June 26, 2010 in East Harlem, New York. Born in Cidra, Puerto Rico, Belpré was a community activist as well as a talented author and storyteller who wrote and re-interpreted Puerto Rican folk tales. As the first Puerto Rican and Latina librarian in the New York Public Library system she pioneered the library's work with the Puerto Rican community.

In the late 1920s, Belpré wrote her first folk tale using a story she had heard as a child from her grandmother in Puerto Rico. This story, Pérez and Martina, a love story between a cockroach and a mouse, became the first Puerto Rican tale to be shared with children at a story hour in the public library.

Pura Belpré died on July 1, 1982 leaving a rich literary legacy. Several of her books, long out-of- print, have been re-issued, giving a new generation of children the opportunity to enjoy them.

Readers of diverse backgrounds will take part in the marathon tribute including members of Taino Iukaieke Guainia who will read selected Taino stories compiled by Belpre.

PRdream/MediaNoche is located at 1355 Park Avenue with the entrance on 102nd Street.

UCTPTN 06.20.2010

Thousands call for Nuclear Disarmament in New York

Taino and Mohawk representatives among the thousands at nuclear disarmament rally in New York City

New York, NY (UCTP Taino News) – About 10,000 activists from around the world mobilized in New York City on Sunday, May 2nd 2010 to call for “real progress” toward global nuclear disarmament. During a rally held in Times Square and a march to the United Nations participants called for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as a nuclear free future. The lead contingent of the march included survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, government officials, and representatives of the indigenous Mohawk, Navajo, Aymara, Cherokee, Tlingit, and Taino Nations.

The day of action culminated with a International Peace and Music Festival held at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across from United Nations headquarters. Over 50 organizations displayed their literature and networked with the thousands of people who attended. There was a tent where people had the opportunity to talk with survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In addition, Sakue Shimora, a survivor of the bombing of Nagasaki, spoke from the main festival stage.

Among the diverse musicians and storytellers performing at the festival were members of the Cacibajagua Taino Cultural Society and Taino Iukaieke Guainia. In addition to presenting Taino songs honoring the Earth, the group linked the struggle in Vieques to the global disarmament agenda. The Taino also urged those in attendance to support the upcoming Spiritual Run for Peace and Dignity to be held in Puerto Rico, July 2010.

The rally, march, and festival coincided with the start of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) being held at UN Headquarters this month. The NPT is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.

UCTPTN 05.03.2010