About the Artist: Born under the Afghan sky, Hori’s love for art began early, influenced by the beauty of nature and the cultural richness around her. In 2021, her family fled Afghanistan due to her husband’s work with the US Army, finding refuge in San Antonio. Despite the upheaval, Hori remained resilient. With her children settling into their new home, she embraced her artistic calling once more. Returning to her passion for NaghashiKhat calligraphy and Miniature painting, she found solace and purpose in creating intricate works of art that reflected her journey and hopes for the future. As she delicately merged the ancient art forms of calligraphy and Miniature painting with the rustic charm of wheat straw, Hori’s work became a testament to the power of art to transcend borders and bridge worlds. Through her creations, she sought to share not only her own story but also the stories of countless others who, like her, had found strength and solace in the transformative power of creativity. 

Culturingua’s second event in our Art + Civic Engagement series was an inspiring success, bringing together community members for an evening of art, conversation, and connection at Crepeccino Café and Creperie. This monthly series is designed to create an open space where art and civic engagement intersect, allowing us to explore local issues through creative expression.

For this event, we were honored to feature Mohammed Bulifa, a talented Libyan artist and muralist, whose work beautifully captures themes of heritage, identity, and social change. His art sparked rich discussions among attendees, inspiring reflections on the role of culture in shaping our communities and the importance of preserving our stories.

From the moment guests arrived, the café buzzed with energy. Attendees enjoyed delicious food and expertly crafted coffee, with Crepeccino’s signature crepes and specialty beverages providing the perfect complement to the night’s discussions. Conversation flowed as naturally as creativity, with community members sharing their perspectives on local heritage, neighborhood needs, and how artistic expression can serve as a powerful tool for advocacy.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the night was seeing how engaged participants were—not only in discussing these important topics but in truly connecting with one another. Many expressed how refreshing it was to gather in such an interactive, welcoming space where art and dialogue go hand in hand.

As we continue our Art + Civic Engagement series, we look forward to building on this momentum, fostering deeper community connections, and amplifying the voices of local artists who inspire change. Stay tuned for our next event—you won’t want to miss it!

On National Voter Registration Day, Culturingua hosted its very first Verse and Vote: A Poetry Night for Civic Action. This event brought San Antonio community members together not only to celebrate our democracy, but to reinforce the power of collective voice and action. The event took place in the perfect setting—a Libyan-owned restaurant called Tripoli’s that serves some of the best Middle Eastern and North African cuisine in all of San Antonio. Over 40 people attended this event, including our District 5 City Councilwoman, Teri Castillo, and other community activists. At the event, people spoke about the significance of why we were gathered on National Voter Registration Day.

“The significance of today extends far beyond a simple calendar date. It serves as a reminder of the fundamental right that many of us hold—the right to vote. This right wasn’t always guaranteed and was hard-won through the struggles and sacrifices of countless individuals who came before us. From the suffragists of the early 20th century to the civil rights activists who fought for equality and access at the ballot box, their efforts have paved the way for the democratic freedoms we are due today.

However, the fight to keep these rights continues and in Texas, we face particular challenges. Recently, over a million people were removed from the voter rolls, making it more difficult for many to exercise their right to vote. This, coupled with the fact that Texas is the most challenging state to vote in, highlights a persistent and troubling trend: the ongoing efforts to undermine the voice of the people.

But even in the face of these obstacles, there is hope and inspiration. Our local poets tonight are a testament to the power of art and expression. They will remind us that our voices matter, our stories matter, and that speaking out on the issues we care about is not just a right but a responsibility.  Let their words tonight inspire you to take action, to stand up for what you believe in, and to make sure your voice is heard—at the polls and beyond.”

Culturingua set up a voter registration booth for the entire restaurant and offered to check voters’ registration status given the recent voter roll purges. Poets included Dr. Margaret Cantu-Sanchez, an author and professor at St. Mary’s University, Natalia Trevino, an immigrant from Mexico, first-generation college graduate, author, and award-winning poet., Mandy Lynn Lara, an educator, mother of four, and national poet representing San Antonio, Texas, and Anna De Luna and Kauthar Harrik-Sharif, strong Chicana and Arab women, passionate advocates and story tellers performed the closing scene of My Arab Fall, a multi-media play connecting the sexual assault endured by Egyptian female activists - to the plight of Latinas in the age of the #MeToo movement.