PORTLAND, Maine — New Mainers, including refugees from around the world, were to be welcomed and celebrated Saturday at a multicultural “dance party” and community meal at King Middle School, where the Portland community recognized World Refugee Day.
The free celebration, from 3 to 7 p.m., features traditional and modern music and dance performances from Iraq, Vietnam, Serbia, Afghanistan, and Central, East and North Africa. The event also features food from local restaurants, including Babylon, Asmara, Red Sea and Kim’s Cafe.
The celebration, organized by a group of nonprofits, government organizations and other volunteers, takes place a couple of weeks before the official World Refugee Day, on June 20, so as not to interfere with the holy month of Ramadan, according to spokeswoman Kate Chesney.
“We’re honoring and welcoming these newcomers to our state and making them feel a sense of home,” Chesney said. “There are obviously other pieces to it — we want to bring awareness to refugee issues — but really the reason is to welcome and honor these new members of our community who have been through crazy obstacles to get here.”
Refugees have come to Maine from more than 30 countries around the world, including more than 9,000 people resettled by Catholic Charities Maine Refugee and Immigration Services and more than 20,000 people provided refugee and asylee support services, according to program literature.
The Lewiston-Auburn community honored World Refugee Day with a celebration Friday.
Saturday’s event was scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., with an opening program by The Telling Room. A free community meal starts at 4 p.m. followed by music, dancing and other activities from 5 to 7 p.m.