Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated at AUP
Every fall, from September 15th to October 15th, Hispanic Heritage Month gives way to Latinx communities; a period to feel honored for their bright culture, history and flavorful food. In a country like the United States, with a Hispanic population of 63.6 million, this period becomes widely recognized for its massive, colorful celebrations. However, Paris, with only a small margin (1.43%), receives a much more intimate approach, including initiatives, cultural centers and spaces to celebrate. AUP recognizes Hispanic Heritage Month with the help of a student-led club revived in 2023.
Latin Culture Spotted in Paris
In Paris, Hispanic Heritage Month does not hold the same weight. Latin American communities here still celebrate as much as they can, whether it is within confined spaces or outside gatherings along the Quai. Professional establishments are the "official spots" to take a glimpse of a selected culture through the lens of art, film and immersive events. Maison de l'Amérique Latine and Cinéma Le Latina are two notable examples that often host exhibitions featuring emerging Latin American artists. They freely invite all of Paris to take a step and learn about the richness of Hispanic traditions.
Similarly, art can be expressed socially. In Latinx culture, dance is deeply-rooted, with social gatherings revolving around music that brings people together to dance along with their loved ones. Reflecting this, in Paris, you can find live dancing classes (salsa, bachata, merengue, etc.) for their "Latino Night" like Café Oz does on Wednesdays or La Felicità on Thursdays. This will not only allow you to make new friends much easier through the art of movement, but in addition provide you with a good basis for what Latin culture can look like (from a European point of view).
Finding Home and Flavor
Understandably, social events can create anxiety and pressure internally; however, meeting people within your environment casually allows friendships to bloom easily. Moving further south of Paris in the 14th arrondissement, Cité Universitaire, offers a student housing center called Maison du Mexique where they accommodate Mexican students continuing their studies in Paris who need an affordable and welcoming space to feel "at home".
On another note, Paris is a food hub for diverse cuisines to flourish, and Latin food holds no exception. Latin American restaurants are spread across the city. This gives the opportunity for people to choose based on specific regional dishes or different budget ranges, suiting every person's taste. Local taquería places have been gaining popularity for their casual features; an open kitchen to allow conversations with Latin American chefs, quick service and, evidently, great, flavorful food. El Guacamole, Nomás Tacos, El Nopal and Aji Dulce are just a few favorites from the co-presidents of AUP Casita.
@manon.mange 👀 Les meilleurs spots pour bien manger à - de 10€ 💸 🌮 Épisode 1 : le meilleur de la streetfood mexicaine chez NOMAS 🇲🇽 Les tacos coûtent entre 2,5€ et 3,5€ pièce, les quesadillas et burritos entre 7€ et 9,5€, de quoi te régaler sans te ruiner ! 📍 NOMAS taqueria 21 Bd Montmartre, 75009 Paris 141 Rue St Denis, 75002 Paris * collaboration avec NOMAS 🫶 #paris #bonneadresseparis #bonneadresse #parisfood #oumangeraparis #parisrestaurant #bonplanparis #tacos #restopascherparis #oumangerparis #foodparis #parisadresse #mangerpascherparis #tacosparis ♬ son original - Manon | découvertes 🥐🚶🏻♀️
Biography of Casita
Created in 2017, Casita, previously known as Club Latinoamérica, was a cultural club to promote simply Latin-American culture at AUP. However, this club was discontinued until two AUP students decided to take action in 2023 and rebrand it as a whole. But what did that mean for the club?
Casita AUP, run by two Latina students, Yamilett Suarez (Dominican) and Ava Castañeda (Nicaraguan and Cuban/Puerto Rican), turned this club into a safe space. Casita is a cultural organization for Latin American students to feel in a comfortable environment that is also willing to share their culture with the rest of the AUP community. With each event organized, they aim, "to create a space for Latinx students to meet each other and bond", exclaimed Yamilett when being asked what Casita stands for. Its main motto, "your home away from home", cures homesickness, provides support and encourages the AUP community to engage themselves in Latin American culture through the multiple events planned with local Latinx businesses.
What to Expect
Before looking ahead, let us go back to September 25, 2025, where Casita lit up the Combes hallway through their vibrant salsa music and an atmosphere alive with student's smiles. Cafecito con Casita, translated in English, Coffee with Casita, was the first of many events to engage new students about who Casita is and a small glimpse of Hispanic culture through food and coffee. They offered traditional Colombian coffee with fresh Mexican conchas, a sweet fluffy-textured bread, (vanilla and chocolate) from a local business located in the 12th arrondissement called Sweet Romance. More than 60 students joined the community and the conchas disappeared in minutes, so it's safe to say that Casita's first event of the year was a success.
Moving forward, Casita extends its arms to newcomers for their upcoming events, with one happening on Thursday, October 2nd. Its first mixer will give an opportunity for Latin Americans at AUP to meet and bond with Salvadorian pupuseras from La Pupusera.
Besides food, Casita shares their culture through immersive social events, encouraging deeper connections with all club members and repeatedly finding ways to feel "at home" even from an ocean away. Games are one way to make friends easily and build strong communities, avoiding the awkward ice-breakers. As a result, Casita will soon be offering a Latinx take on game night by playing the classic games you would play with your "familia" back home, like Lotería (most commonly known as Bingo), Dominoes and a fun trivia game comparing Spanish terms from different Latin American words to honor every culture and see the differences and/or similarities amongst each other.
@jenfloressx Loteria night 🧜🏻♀️ . . . #familygamenight #gamenight #game #familytime #loteria #fyp #foryoupage #foryou #fypシ ♬ La Lotería - Los Del Paso Sierreño
You can also see these distinctions in words by immersing yourself in the world of literature. To highlight Latin American culture, why not explore it through books within various genres? Well, that is what Casita has decided for a future event: having the AUP Library provide a spotlight on Latinx authors and pair books with some traditional "chuches", translated to candies in English. That way, not only do you get to try regional sweets, but become educated on regional social issues, or take a dive into what fictional worlds Spanish authors immerse you in.
Casita has it all figured out. They've created a safe escape from university life within their community and are making a "home", whatever that may look like to you, right at AUP, without having to go out of your way. Ava, Yamilett and the rest of the board members in Casita represent Latin American culture successfully through their hard work and paid efforts on reviving our school to be globally minded and foster international relationships amongst all. To seek more information about Casita or potentially feel interested in joining, check out their Instagram page @casita.aup and lastly, Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to all celebrating and to all sharing their heritage!
