LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – Carnegie Hall invites the community to a vibrant evening of discovery and celebration with “Celebrating Latin American Culture in Appalachia”, taking place Friday, November 21, at 6 p.m. This Appalachian Heritage Lecture Series event highlights unique pathways that have emerged from the fusion of Latin American and Appalachian cultures. Through storytelling, multimedia, and personal reflection, guest presenters Emily Rhyne and Roderico Y. Diaz of Iximche Media will guide attendees through a rich cultural journey that bridges continents and communities.
Based between Guatemala and the United States, Roderico Y. Diaz is an indigenous Maya Kaqchikel independent photojournalist and documentary videographer whose work has been featured by the Associated Press, The Guardian, and The Assembly. A survivor of the Guatemalan genocide (1960–1996), Diaz brings a powerful perspective shaped by lived experience, migration, and a lifelong commitment to justice, indigenous rights, and cultural preservation. He is a recipient of the Rubenstein Library Digital Storytelling Award, and his work continues to illuminate the legacy of colonialism and the lives of migrants living in the U.S.
Together with Emily Rhyne, the duo will share stories and visuals that celebrate resilience, creativity, and the evolving identity of Latin American communities in Appalachia. Their presentation invites reflection, dialogue, and connection—an opportunity to honor the voices and traditions that enrich our region and deepen our understanding of what it means to be neighbors.
Únete a nosotros para celebrar! This event is free with prior registration and runs in coordination with “Our American Neighbors”, a cultural exhibition featuring the photography of Jeffrey P. Kessler, on display in the Carnegie Hall Museum Gallery through December 2025.
To register visit www.carnegiehallwv.org, call 304.645.7917, or stop by the box office at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV.
Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala. The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg, WV. For more information, please call 304.645.7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org.
