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Caribbean Life, April 14-20, 2022
Kite flying will be overwhelming says
Guyanese kite maker Trevor Smith
By Nelson A. King
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs
(MOIA) on Monday began Immigrant Heritage
Week 2022 with the theme, “Immigrant New
York: Rebuilding Together.”
Originally started in 2004, Immigrant Heritage
Week (IHW) is celebrated in mid–April
to commemorate the legacy of April 17, 1907,
the day in New York City history on which
the largest number of immigrants – 11,000 –
entered the US through Ellis Island.
“This year, IHW will take place April 11 to
April 17, 2022, and will include an array of
in person and virtual community events and
programs across every borough, giving New
Yorkers more opportunities to celebrate their
culture and learn about what makes the city
so diverse and unique,” said MOIA in a statement.
“While thousands of immigrants came to
this country through Ellis Island looking for
better lives for themselves and their children
a century ago, it is important that we continue
to recognize how immigrants’ histories,
unique cultures, and contributions today still
play a role in contributing to New York City’s
diverse immigrant communities,” said New
York City Mayor Eric Adams.
“Our city supports our immigrants and
recognizes how essential they have been in
keeping our city running, especially during the
COVID-19 pandemic,” he added. “I am proud
to commemorate the important legacy that
Immigrant Heritage Week represents.”
“This week we celebrate all the ways immigrants
make New York City more resilient,
adaptable, and vibrant. Every day we can see
the tremendous contribution they have made
to the very fabric of our city. New York’s diversity
is a source of strength, and we will continue
to support and uplift all immigrant communities,”
said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human
Services, Anne Williams-Isom.
Manuel Castro, commissioner of the Mayor’s
Office of Immigrant Affairs, said: “This
week NYC celebrates #ImmigrantHeritageWeek,
a time we celebrate and honor the contributions
that immigrants have made to our
city, throughout history and present day.
“For the 18th annual Immigrant Heritage
Week, we focus on rebuilding together after a
devasting crisis, and remember that we cannot
rebuild our city without immigrant communities,”
he added.
This year’s hallmark events include:
Throughout the week — Taxi & Limousine
Commissioner (TLC) Street Team Outreach.
TLC outreach teams will host events and provide
drivers with information about available
City resources from NYC WELL, ODRC, DPU,
MOIA & CCHR. Outreach events will occur
across the City.
April 11, 2022 – Queens Public Library is
proud to present Guqin’s Musical Play-A Day
of Zhang Dai. 7sArt produced Guqin’s musical
play “A Day of Zhang Dai” describes a Chinese
essayist’s daily activities, starting with
the wake-up moment in the morning and
displaying a scholar lifestyle during the Ming
Dynasty.
This play integrated substantial elements
such as Guqin, Xiao, Tea, Calligraphy, Painting,
Flower Arrangement, Poetry and Literature
as a whole.
April 14, 2022 – Brooklyn Public Library is
proud to celebrate Immigrant Heritage with
Italian Storytime, exploring emotions through
stories, games, and activities. Watch here:
https://www.facebook.com/BrooklynPublicLibrary/
April 14, 2022 – NYC Emergency Management
will be hosting an Emergency Preparedness
Workshop in collaboration with the Museum
of Chinese in America (MOCA) to teach
New Yorkers about emergency preparedness.
They will provide a workshop on emergency
preparedness, conduct a raffle and encourage
participants to explore the museum’s exhibits.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
immigrant-heritage-week-emergency-preparedness
workshop-registration-302912538557.
April 16, 2022 – The Washington Irving
branch of Brooklyn Public Library and The
Cultural Immigrant Initiative is proud to
present Los 3 cochinitos/The 3 Little Pigs
Bilingual Puppetshow. Afterwards, Repertorio
Theatre will provide materials for a puppetmaking
workshop. Location: Brooklyn Public
Library Washington Irving Branch 360 Irving
Ave Brooklyn, NY 11237.
April 17, 2022 – The Bangladesh Institute
of Performing Arts will host Sitar Recital &
Spiritual Songs. The first half of the event will
be live instrumental recital Sita by Morshed
Khan Apu with accompanied Tabla by Mir
Naqibul Islam.
The second half includes Bengali spiritual
songs. At the end of the performances, there
will be Iftar, the evening meal with which
Muslims end daily Ramadan fast at sunset.
Location: P.S 12 4200 72nd Street, Woodside,
Queens.
By Tangerine Clarke
Georgetown kite maker, Trevor Smith,
says Guyanese are eager and excited about
returning to normalcy, getting their outfits
ready for boat cruises, and sharpening
their moves for upcoming entertainment,
to celebrate the Easter season, adding,
that the energy level is high.
But more importantly, Smith’s starpoint,
and patriotic kits, like the Golden
Arrowhead flag design, are going like hot
cakes, as celebrants get ready to hoist
their flying toy into airspaces over the
Republic.
This reporter caught up with the expert
kite maker at his usual spot, Regent and
Camp streets in the heart of the city,
where his colorful, skillful designs are
lined-up against a wall, at the intersection,
a location, where fans over the years have
frequented to purchase kites, making the
artist the most sought-after kite seller in
Georgetown.
His singing engine, star-point, and a
host of other creations will bring joy to
many, over the Easter Monday holiday
weekend, as Guyana joins countries across
the world, and especially the New York,
diaspora, which is quickly returning to the
new normal.
“I am always lucky to have a divine Guyanese
public that supports my business,
and throughout the years, my talent for
kite making has developed me to a high
level,” said the artisan, noting, that, on
many occasions, because of articles published
by this reporter in Caribbean Life,
he has received support, from both locals,
and overseas Guyanese who find their way
to him because of detailed information
shared.
“Both men and woman from overseas,
came to me and say, I read an article in
Caribbean Life, that told me where I can
come to get one of your kites. They also
asked to be photographed with me,” said
Smith gleefully, adding, that despite having
been out of business due to COVID, he
continues to sell his kites at a moderate
price.
“I will continue to sell my kites at a moderate
level, so kite lovers have an opportunity
to choose their favorite design,” he
said, as he continues to share his skill with
the next generation of kite makers.
“Kite flying will be overwhelming this
season and Tangerine, you always brings
me good luck,” he said with a big smile,
standing in the sweltering heat, as he
awaits repeat customer.
Trevor Smith, a kite maker of over 30 years against his star-point and patriotic kites
at the corner of Camp and Regent streets, Georgetown, Guyana. Photo by Tangerine
Clarke
Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs starts Immigrant Heritage Week
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