World Refugee Day Celebration

Past Event ....... June 17th, 2011 — 4:00 p.m.

On Friday, June 17 at 4:00 p.m. in the Library’s Callahan Hall, we will be joining forces with the City of Lewiston, Catholic Charities’ Refugee and Immigration Services, Coastal Enterprises, Inc. and the United Somali Women of Maine to celebrate World Refugee Day.

The event will focus on the positive impact that is being made locally by the many new refugee businesses–food will  be provided by these businesses along with displays of their wares. 

In addition, the documentary film “Welcome to Shelbyville” will be shown, with an audience participation discussion to follow.  The film is a glimpse of America at a crossroads.  In one small town in the heart of America’s southern Bible Belt, a community grapples with rapidly changing demographics. Just a stone’s throw away from Pulaski, Tennessee (the birthplace of the Ku Klux Klan), longtime African-American and white residents are challenged with how best to integrate with a growing Latino population and the more recent arrival of hundreds of Somali refugees of Muslim faith. Through the vibrant and colorful characters of Shelbyville, the film explores immigrant integration and the interplay between race, religion, and identity in this dynamic dialogue. The story is indeed an intimate portrayal of a community’s struggle to understand what it means to be American.

Following the film and discussion, the Malika Dancing Group will perform.

For more details on Lewiston’s World Refugee Day event, contact Chelsey Everest at Catholic Charities Maine, 871-7437 or ceverest@ccmaine.org

Posted: Thursday, June 9th, 2011 in Celebration, Community Meeting, Dance, Film

Lewiston Library: World Refugee Day Celebration

On Friday, June 17 at 4:00 p.m. in the Library’s Callahan Hall, we will be joining forces with the City of Lewiston, Catholic Charities’ Refugee and Immigration Services, Coastal Enterprises, Inc. and the United Somali Women of Maine to celebrate … continues …