The Aurora History Museum, Aurora Sister Cities International, the Consulate of El Salvador in Aurora and the city of Aurora Office of International and Immigrant Affairs will celebrate Aurora’s Salvadoran population with a new exhibition, “A Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora’s Salvadoran Community,” set to open Tuesday, June 19 and running through Nov. 4.

“The goal of this exhibit is to educate the public about the Salvadorans living in Aurora as well as highlight individuals, businesses owners and their cultural traditions and history,” said Aurora History Museum Director T. Scott Williams.

“This unique community tremendously impacts the cultural fabric of our city. Salvadorans who call Aurora home come from all walks of life and have their own individual stories of immigration or growing up in the U.S.”

Aurora is home to more than 3,000 Salvadorans, constituting the third-largest foreign-born population living here.

Those Salvadorans who moved to Colorado have brought traditions and values that continue to be passed on to new generations. Several characteristics of this culture are present throughout the city. “A Mosaic of Cultures: Aurora’s Salvadoran Community” will explore these characteristics, such as music, art, dance, religion and foods.

The exhibition will also highlight the 2017 opening of El Salvador’s consular office in Aurora, the only consulate operating in Colorado outside of Denver. The diplomatic office was the culmination of over two years of work by Aurora and Salvadoran policymakers, which included a trip by the late Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan to the Central American nation. In addition, the work led to a 2016 friendship city agreement between Aurora and the Salvadoran city of Antiguo Cuscatlán.

“By exploring the impact of Salvadorans in Aurora, the Aurora History Museum hopes to showcase this very vibrant and important aspect of our community,” added Williams. 

The exhibit will include additional programs such as a reception at 5:30 p.m. July 27; a brown bag lecture at noon Sept. 19 featuring William Pineda, president of Salvadorans Residing in Colorado, speaking about Aurora’s vibrant Salvadoran community; and participation at the city’s Global Fest event Aug. 18. To stay up to date on related programing, visit AuroraMuseum.org.

Admission to the Aurora History Museum is always free. For more information, call 303.739.6660 or visit AuroraMuseum.org.