Fourth annual Welcoming Week celebrates diversity with unity, community

Events range from community celebration to naturalization ceremony and civics fair

Mayor's Corner

9/14/2018

ANCHORAGE— The Municipality of Anchorage will kick off its fourth Welcoming Week, September 14 to 23, with a community celebration at the Anchorage Museum.

The week of events is part a national effort led by Welcoming America to raise awareness about the economic, cultural, and social benefits of diverse communities by bringing together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents.  “Anchorage is justifiably proud of our diversity, and our location as the Alaska hub and the air crossroads of the world,” said Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.  “Being uniquely Alaskan and distinctly global, we know that welcoming is our tradition and our strength.”  There are a series of activities scheduled throughout Anchorage, including a naturalization ceremony, and a City Hall “Welcome Mat” for Park(ing) Day.

Welcoming Week is spearheaded by the Welcoming Anchorage initiative, a collaboration of the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage School District, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation and hundreds of Anchorage residents.  A number of other community partners support the initiative, including the Anchorage Museum, National Park Service, Anchorage Park Foundation, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Wells Fargo, Bridge Builders of Anchorage, the University of Alaska, American Civil Liberties Union, U.S. District Court, Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services (RAIS) program, the League of Women Voters, and many more.

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Welcoming Week events

Friday, September 14, 5:45 pm - Peratrovich Park: Eyes Closed Ribbon Cutting.  Mayor Ethan Berkowitz will cut the ribbon for the “Eyes Closed” Project.  The project, facilitated by Keys to Life, consists of sixteen 4’ x 8’ panels that feature the images of local children from culturally diverse communities. The panels feature the hopes and dreams of the participating children, and their aspirations for their future and the future of Anchorage.  The ribbon cutting will feature a Samoan dance performance and light refreshments.

Saturday, September 15, 11 am - Anchorage Museum: Anchorage Downtown Welcoming Art Walk.  This 30-minute Downtown Welcoming Art Walk tour of murals and other art downtown will start on the front lawn of the Anchorage Museum at 625 C Street.

Saturday, September 15, 12-3 pm - Anchorage Museum: Anchorage Welcoming Week Community Celebration. The event will feature cultural song, dance and spoken word, organized by Bridge Builders. Welcoming Anchorage’s partner organizations that provide community services will host informational tables.  Last year our partner organizations featured more than 50 different translated brochures.

Monday, September 17, 12 pm - Loussac Library: Bells Across America. The Daughters of the American Revolution will be ringing bells in the Loussac Library Atrium for Constitution Day.

Tuesday, September 18, 4-6 pm - UAA Campus Bookstore: The Lives of Spanish Speaking People in Anchorage.  Panelists, including Attorney Nicolas A. Olano; Lina Mariscal and Danny Esparza co-founders of the bilingual newspaper Sol de Medianoche; and Dr. Irasema Ortega, Associate Professor of Science Education at UAA, will bring attention to the lives of Spanish-speakers in Anchorage.

Tuesday, September 18, 5-7 pm – Delaney Park Strip (corner of E and 10th Avenue): Welcome to Anchorage’s Murals.  This bike tour hosted by Welcoming Anchorage and Bike Anchorage will explore both iconic and lesser-known murals in downtown. Approximately 8 murals will be featured. This tour is designed for anyone with a bicycle and comfortable riding on city streets. The tour will last about 90 minutes (5 miles). BYOB — bring your own bike. Helmets are required. Tour meets at 5pm with a 5:30pm departure from the Park Strip (corner of E and 10th). Please check in 15 minutes early.

Wednesday, September 19, 12-2 pm - Loussac Library: Naturalization Ceremony.  Welcoming Anchorage, the Municipality of Anchorage, the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will be hosting Anchorage’s 4rd Annual Welcoming Week Naturalization Ceremony.  The ceremony will be conducted by the Chief Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska, the Honorable Timothy M. Burgess. Speakers will include Mayor Ethan Berkowitz, Assembly Chair Forrest Dunbar and First Lady Dr. Mara Kimmel.

Friday, September 21, 10 am-5 pm - City Hall: Anchorage City Hall Welcome Mat.  The public is encouraged to come and hang out in the temporarily commandeered welcoming public space consisting of two metered parking spaces in front of Anchorage’s City Hall (632 West 6th Avenue). All are welcome at the Welcome Mat! Stop by 10 am. - 5 pm, and learn more about Welcoming Anchorage and Welcoming Week.

Saturday, September 22, 12-3 pm - Loussac Library: Civics Fair.  The Anchorage Public Library, University of Alaska's Center for Community Engagement & Learning, and Welcoming Anchorage will be hosting a Welcoming Week Civics Fair in recognition of Citizenship & Constitution Day, and in conjunction with UAA's Democracy & Civic Action Week. More than 20 civic organizations will host booths that highlight how individuals can become civically engaged.  Participating organizations include the American Civil Liberties Union, League of Women Voters, University of Alaska Center for Community Engagement & Learning, Welcoming Anchorage, the Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, and the Municipal Ombudsman's Office.

For more information, contact Darrel Hess at (907) 343-4461 or HessDW@muni.org.  To view a calendar of Welcoming Week events, visit, http://bit.ly/AnchWelcome.