Hello! West Hartford’s Eighth Culture Celebration a Huge Success - We-Ha

A large crowd enjoyed music, food, and entertainment from around the world at Hello! West Hartford’s annual ‘Year in Revue.’

Hello! West Hartford ‘Year in Revue.’ April 23, 2018. Courtesy photo

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The Eighth Year in “Revue” for Hello! West Hartford was held on Monday, April 23, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the West Hartford Town Hall, and the crowd was large as usual, representing the many nationalities within the town’s rich culture.

The night included Irish fiddle players, music from South America, and dance from Mexico.

Trinity Samba Ensemble performed as a special appearance by Meninos de Minas all the way from Brazil. Nzinga’s Daughters sang along with Chinese and Nepalese artists and there was entertaining dance with bachata and merengue mix and pop freestyle.

Student singers from IEA, Smith STEM, and Bristow also performed. “The room became silent as the Voices of Bristow graced the hall with a call and response from the stage and balcony when they sang Ukuthula, a beautiful and memorizing Zulu song of peace,” said Clare Taylor Neseralla.

Restaurants from throughout town shared their delicacies so residents could sample the many flavors of West Hartford.

Mayor Shari Cantor welcomed the crowd and Board of Education member Lorna Thomas-Farquharson, had a booth on her African culture.

Hello! West Hartford recognized three individuals for their dedicated years of support: Sofya Harutyunyan, owner of Café Sophia; Pramod Pradhan, West Hartford’s Community Engagement Librarian; and Tere Luna, a dancer and singer who promotes her Mexican culture.

Superintendent of West Hartford Public Schools Tom Moore welcomed two amazing women to the stage as Hello! West Hartford awarded the Dr. Karen L. List Global Ambassador award for the fourth time. The students, Anaida Ruiz from Conard High School and Nina Faynshtayn from Hall High School, both demonstrated how they promote and embrace the West Hartford global community and connect to the town’s diverse cultures.

Faynshtayn has been an engaged and active student in political avenues throughout high school and in the community. With Russian as her first language, she recognizes the struggle of ESOL students and the isolation they may feel. She feels passionate about the international nights and cultural celebrations at all of our schools.

Ruiz says there is always opportunity in West Hartford where you engage in fellowship with others in a way that you can embrace and learn from each other. She feels West Hartford’s strongest aspect is that people have a voice. She has embraced and shared her cultural differences in elementary school and has grown to share about herself and learn about others by joining the multicultural club at Conard High School.

The event was and amazing evening rich in cultural and allowed residents to celebrate their wonderful combined heritage. Contact [email protected], call Elizabeth Perry at 860-810-0401, or visit hellowesthartford.org for more information.

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