Dancers perform at the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration.
Photo courtesy of the Borough President’s office
Brooklynites celebrated Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a joyous musical celebration at Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday.
Kings County is home to New York City’s second-largest Asian population, according to the 2020 census, and the celebration, led by Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, reflected the enormous diversity of cultures AANHPI found in the county, with a special tribute to the culture of Southeast Asia.
“Everything we can dream for the future of our city is inspired by the histories and cultures that live within the people who call it home,” Reynoso said in a statement. “I am so excited that this month is about celebrating the heritage and vision of Brooklyn for our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander neighbors. This borough is at its best when we come together to appreciate what makes us special and recognize what unites us as one: our love for Brooklyn.”
The lively celebration began with a performance by violinists Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy from the Brooklyn Raga Massive, a South Asian music collective. Basu and Ramamurthy combined classical South Indian melodies with Western chamber music and even a bit of jazz.
Their performance was followed by a song and dance number by first graders from PS 153 at Homecrest, and a duo from the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts closed the night with a dance to the Bengali song “Anodo Dhara.” .
The final dance explored themes of eternal happiness and the deep connection between humans and nature, and the bonds between individuals, the universe, and the divine.
“It is important to note that our city, our borough of Brooklyn, has long served as a beacon of hope for immigrants and underserved communities seeking a safe haven and a land of new opportunity,” said Damaris Bergas-Misarti. , Deputy Vice President. and community affairs manager for Ponce Bank, which sponsored the event. “Our AAPI neighbors make us stronger, more resilient and innovative and we at Ponce Bank believe this month brings great joy to Brooklyn, our city, our state and across the country in celebration of the rich heritage that native Americans Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have accomplished and contributed. .”
Reynoso also recognized the contributions of local community organizations, awarding proclamations to the APNA Brooklyn Community Center and Bangladesh American Community Development and Youth Services.
Ashley Huang, director of the School-Age Child Care Center at PS 153, received a special citation for her work connecting low-income and immigrant families with needed and hard-to-reach resources.
After the awards and speeches, it was time to eat: Jalsa Grill & Gravy in Little Pakistan and SweetTalk in Gowanus served up their respective Indian and Hawaiian cuisines, with samosas, butter chicken, naan, Spam musubi and kalua pork.
“With these values held firmly within us, we can ensure that our neighborhoods remain safe homes for all, free from hate and judgment, and instead filled with celebration and respect. Thank you to the incredible artists, performers, students, local businesses, sponsors, and other partners who have made this evening possible,” Reynoso said.
