The City of Minneapolis and community partners are hosting a Welcoming Week celebration Friday, Sept. 21 at The Commons. Welcoming Week is a national celebration focused on creating meaningful opportunities for community members, whether immigrant, refugee or native-born, to come together, learn from one another and demonstrate that we are stronger when we are a welcoming community.

This year’s Welcoming Week celebration is organized in partnership with the artists behind Carry-on Homes, an interactive public art installation temporarily at The Commons focused on immigrants and immigration stories. The event will feature live performances by several artists and participation by organizations including the YMCA, Green Card Voices, CAPI, Greater MSP, Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project, and the International Institute of Minnesota, food trucks, soccer, voter registration information and more.

Artists include traditional dancers from the Thai Art and Cultural Group from Wat Promwachirayan in collaboration with Asian Media Access, spoken-word artists Ifrah Mansour and Bryan Thao Worra, performance artist La Curandera (Xochi de la Luna) and dancers from the Somali Museum of Minnesota among many others.

Several City departments will also be represented at the event, and attendees will have an opportunity to learn more about the City’s new Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, which advises City leaders on immigration issues and connects community members with critical resources, including legal service providers.

The City of Minneapolis is a proud member of Welcoming America’s network of Welcoming Cities and Counties, a symbol of its commitment toward immigrants, refugees and all residents. ­In 2017, there were more than 700 Welcoming Week events across the country.