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Public Media Institute

Public Media Institute fosters community engagement through media and cultural initiatives, promoting social justice and solidarity, particularly with Cuba. They support urgent health needs and advocate against imperialist threats to Cuban sovereignty.

Hosted by sisters <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.beizararadini.com/" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Beizar Aradini</a> and Beimal Yazdanparast, this dinner centers on what it means to cook as part of the Kurdish diaspora. Raised in Nashville, Tennessee, home to one of the largest Kurdish communities in the United States, their family arrived as refugees after fleeing the Anfal genocide, Saddam Hussein&#39;s genocidal campaign against the Kurdish people in the late 1980s. This displaced hundreds of thousands of Kurds and forever reshaped the lives of Kurdish families across the world. This same campaign was carried out with chemical weapons and enabled in part through U.S. support for the Iraqi regime during that period.The Kurdish people are the world&#39;s largest stateless nation, with more than 40 million people living across present-day Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and throughout the global diaspora. Today, Chicago is also home to many Kurdish residents who continue to sustain their language, traditions, and culture, far from their ancestral homeland.Growing up between two languages usually means constantly translating&hellip;not only words, but customs and ways of being. There is both loss and possibility in that space. Some recipes survive almost unchanged; others are reinvented through what is available in new landscapes and what is passed onto the next changing generations. For Beizar and Beimal, cooking is a way of holding onto tradition while allowing it to evolve and transform. Please join us.

Kurdish community dinner

A project co-created by Public Media Institute&rsquo;s Community Kitchen program, in collaboration with Marz Community Brewing, HotHouse and The Chicago Cuba Coalition<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; margin-inline: 0px !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; margin-inline: 0px !important; margin: 0px;"> AN URGENT NEED - HOW YOU CAN HELP<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; margin-inline: 0px !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; margin-inline: 0px !important; margin: 0px;"> As Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodr&iacute;guez pointed out, the White House is constructing, &ldquo;without any legitimate excuse, day after day, a fraudulent case to justify the ruthless economic war against the Cuban people and eventual military aggression<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; margin-inline: 0px !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; margin-inline: 0px !important; margin: 0px;"> The&nbsp;indictment of Raul Castro&nbsp;sits alongside everything else Washington has deployed against Cuba in recent months: a fuel blockade that left the island with no diesel and no fuel oil reserves as of May 14, a visit from CIA Director John Ratcliffe carrying Trump&rsquo;s ultimatum for &ldquo;fundamental changes,&rdquo; a $100 million aid offer conditioned on political concessions, and at least 25 U.S. military surveillance flights near Cuba&rsquo;s coast since Feb. 4 &mdash; the same platforms used before the Jan. 3 kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro. The United States is escalating its imperialist threats against the sovereign nation of Cuba, calling for direct military intervention and regime change. We condemn these acts of aggression and calls for an international campaign to counter this escalation.<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; margin-inline: 0px !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; margin-inline: 0px !important; margin: 0px;"> Proceeds from the dinner will be directed to Global Health Partnershttps://ghpartners.org/<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; margin-inline: 0px !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; margin-inline: 0px !important; margin: 0px;"> About Global Health Partners:Global Health Partners is launching an urgent drive to send desperately needed surgical sutures to Cuba&rsquo;s dedicated doctors. The current shortage is delaying and cancelling surgeries. Please join us to rush sutures and other lifesaving supplies to Cuba as it confronts unprecedented shortages of vital surgical supplies.<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; margin-inline: 0px !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; margin-inline: 0px !important; margin: 0px;"> Program Organizers:- HotHouse is a non-profit cultural project that is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. It is one of the country&rsquo;s premiere presenters of Cuban culture and organizes annual delegations to the Jazz Plaza festival in January. It is a producer of the film &ldquo;The Other Guantanamo&rdquo; to be released later this year.&nbsp;<p fr-original-style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; margin-inline: 0px !important; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; margin: 0px; line-height: 1.5;" style="box-sizing: inherit; max-width: 100%; color: rgb(54, 54, 54); width: 552px; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: 0.25px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 1.5; margin-inline: 0px !important; margin: 0px;"> - The Chicago Cuba Coalition is the primary force for local activism and solidarity with Cuba. Among its many successful achievements, the coalition was key in passing City and State referendums to normalize relations. Projects include: organizing delegations to Cuba, coalescing with labor, religious, academic and business interests to build support for the Cuban people

RECIPES FOR SURVIVANCE - FOCUS ON CUBA (7:30 PM)

A project co-created by Public Media Institute&rsquo;s Community Kitchen program, in collaboration with Marz Community Brewing, HotHouse and The Chicago Cuba Coalition AN URGENT NEED - HOW YOU CAN HELP As Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodr&iacute;guez pointed out, the White House is constructing, &ldquo;without any legitimate excuse, day after day, a fraudulent case to justify the ruthless economic war against the Cuban people and eventual military aggression The&nbsp;indictment of Raul Castro&nbsp;sits alongside everything else Washington has deployed against Cuba in recent months: a fuel blockade that left the island with no diesel and no fuel oil reserves as of May 14, a visit from CIA Director John Ratcliffe carrying Trump&rsquo;s ultimatum for &ldquo;fundamental changes,&rdquo; a $100 million aid offer conditioned on political concessions, and at least 25 U.S. military surveillance flights near Cuba&rsquo;s coast since Feb. 4 &mdash; the same platforms used before the Jan. 3 kidnapping of Venezuelan President Nicol&aacute;s Maduro. The United States is escalating its imperialist threats against the sovereign nation of Cuba, calling for direct military intervention and regime change. We condemn these acts of aggression and calls for an international campaign to counter this escalation. Proceeds from the dinner will be directed to Global Health Partners <a fr-original-style="" href="https://ghpartners.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: currentcolor; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://ghpartners.org/</a> About Global Health Partners:Global Health Partners is launching an urgent drive to send desperately needed surgical sutures to Cuba&rsquo;s dedicated doctors. The current shortage is delaying and cancelling surgeries. Please join us to rush sutures and other lifesaving supplies to Cuba as it confronts unprecedented shortages of vital surgical supplies. Program Organizers:- HotHouse is a non-profit cultural project that is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. It is one of the country&rsquo;s premiere presenters of Cuban culture and organizes annual delegations to the Jazz Plaza festival in January. It is a producer of the film &ldquo;The Other Guantanamo&rdquo; to be released later this year.&nbsp; - The Chicago Cuba Coalition is the primary force for local activism and solidarity with Cuba. Among its many successful achievements, the coalition was key in passing City and State referendums to normalize relations. Projects include: organizing delegations to Cuba, coalescing with labor, religious, academic and business interests to build support for the Cuban people

RECIPES FOR SURVIVANCE - FOCUS ON CUBA (5:30 PM)

Hosted by Venezuelan artist Carlos Salazar Lermont, this dinner centered on food, community, and solidarity in support of those affected by two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Striking only thirty seconds apart on June 24, the earthquakes caused widespread destruction, displacing thousands of people and leaving many without reliable access to food, water, shelter, and medical care.&nbsp;We are partnering with the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance to aid those who need it the most. IVA&rsquo;s mission is &ldquo;to serve, provide humanitarian aid, educate, foster civic engagement, and advocate for the Venezuelan community residing in the state of Illinois, working together to strengthen a positive and resilient community presence.&rdquo; All proceeds from this dinner will support victims of the double earthquake through the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance. The evening&rsquo;s menu featured the Reina Pepiada, a beloved arepa filled with chicken and avocado salad whose Indigenous roots and immigrant influences reflect Venezuela&rsquo;s rich cultural history, followed by traditional dulce de lechoza and majarete for dessert. Through these dishes, Venezuelan culinary heritage became an expression of care, resilience, and collective action

Community Kitchen: Venezuelan Dinner 5:30 PM

Hosted by Venezuelan artist Carlos Salazar Lermont, this dinner centered on food, community, and solidarity in support of those affected by two devastating earthquakes in Venezuela. Striking only thirty seconds apart on June 24, the earthquakes caused widespread destruction, displacing thousands of people and leaving many without reliable access to food, water, shelter, and medical care.&nbsp; We are partnering with the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance to aid those who need it the most. IVA&rsquo;s mission is &ldquo;to serve, provide humanitarian aid, educate, foster civic engagement, and advocate for the Venezuelan community residing in the state of Illinois, working together to strengthen a positive and resilient community presence.&rdquo; All proceeds from this dinner will support victims of the double earthquake through the Illinois Venezuelan Alliance. The evening&rsquo;s menu featured the Reina Pepiada, a beloved arepa filled with chicken and avocado salad whose Indigenous roots and immigrant influences reflect Venezuela&rsquo;s rich cultural history, followed by traditional dulce de lechoza and majarete for dessert. Through these dishes, Venezuelan culinary heritage became an expression of care, resilience, and collective action.

Public Media Institute

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Community Kitchen: Venezuelan Dinner 5:30 PM

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Community Kitchen: Venezuelan Dinner 7:30 PM

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