BEAVERTON, Ore. – The City of Beaverton will celebrate our sixth year of Welcoming Week from September 12 through 20 under the theme of “Creating Home Together.” Welcoming Week is an annual series of events bringing together immigrants, refugees and US born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone.

This year, the city is proud to partner with eight community organizations through grants to support opportunities for cultural exchange. Events will include storytelling, music and cultural celebrations, dance and cooking workshops, small business support and so much more! Most events are happening virtually. A few in-person gatherings will occur outside with proper distancing and other safety protocols in place.

A select schedule of events is included below and a full calendar listing with additional details are available at www.BeavertonOregon.gov/WelcomingWeek. All events are free and open to the public. Share your experiences and pictures at the events with #BeavertonWelcomes.

Highlighted Schedule of Welcoming Week Events:

Dreams Deferred, Part 1 | Saturday, SEP 12 | 7-8:30 PM
The Immigrant Story presents a musical performance featuring Gerardo Calderón and his ensemble, combining vocals, instrumentals, and rhythms of folk musical traditions of Mexico and Central America.

Kurdish Community Gathering | Sunday, SEP 13 | 6-8 PM
Sample Kurdish cuisine and learn about traditional Kurdish dance and music.

Writing Across Cultures | Monday, SEP 14 | 3-6 PM
Join in creative “free writes,” share your stories, and connect across cultures with Write Around Portland.

Sharing the Welcoming Culture of Polynesia through Dance | Tuesday, SEP 15 | 11 AM-Noon
Move your body and learn traditional Polynesian dances from Hawaii, Tahiti and New Zealand with Hula Halau ‘Ohana Holo’oko’a.

Ethiopian Cooking Classes | Tuesday, SEP 15 | 2-4 PM
Celebrate Ethiopian culture by learning how to make Ethiopian dishes using traditional spices with Eleni’s Kitchen.

Micro Enterprise Services of OR (MESO) Welcoming Week Meet-Up | Tuesday, SEP 15 | 4-6 PM
Meet local immigrant entrepreneurs, learn how they are navigating the pandemic, and find out how MESO services are helping create a diverse, equitable business community in Beaverton.

Dreams Deferred, Part 2 | Thursday, SEP 17 | 7-8:30 PM
The Immigrant Story presents five storytellers from the Philippines, Mexico and Central America to share unique stories about their lives as immigrants.

Travel to Peru | Saturday, SEP 19 | 2-6 PM
Join Peruvian Cultural Festival for a mini Peruvian gathering with art exhibitions, traditional dances, food, and a Cajón Peruano (drum box) demonstration.

Cinderella | Sunday, SEP 20 | 2-4 PM
Beaverton Civic Theatre presents a common folktale with a twist! Experience Cinderella through the lens of English, German, Chinese and Indian identities, accompanied with a community “talk back.”

Beaverton’s celebration is part of the city’s broader Welcoming Beaverton initiative to recognize, welcome and support the successful integration of the local immigrant community. Events also coincides with National Welcoming Week, which is composed of thousands of local events across the country in member cities of the national organization Welcoming America. Beaverton officially became a Welcoming City and member of Welcoming America in April 2015.

Featured image courtesy of the City of Beaverton.