Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations sponsors booths from Ukrainian Society, Chinese Community, Carmel’s sister city groups from Latvia & China
A splash of added diversity will be part of the Carmel Farmers Market on Saturday, June 25, as visitors are encouraged to visit special booths at the market – cultural displays by the Ukrainian Society of Indiana, Indianapolis Chinese Community Center and two of Carmel’s Sister City groups – Jelgava (Latvia) and Xiangyang (China). The booths are being added as part of the Celebration of Diversity at the Carmel Farmers Market and will be in the grass area along the western edge of the center walkway of Carter Green.
In the spirit of education and community building, the booths will feature cultural art, costumes, crafts, education, food and music related to each of the organizations featured at the special booths. This effort was initiated by the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations.
“For any community to thrive, it is paramount that we get to know each other and learn each other’s cultures,” Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said. “The Carmel Farmers Market, which already brings together a diverse crowd every Saturday morning, is the perfect place to provide this cross-cultural opportunity.”
Representatives from the Xiangyang, China Sister City Committee. (Photo provided by City of Carmel)
Here are the groups joining the Farmers Market on Saturday:
Carmel-Jelgava Sister City Committee
The Carmel-Jelgava Sister City Committee was established in May 2022. The partnership with Jelgava, Latvia comes at a very important and pivotal time in history where the support for freedom and democracy in the world is under siege.
The mission of the Committee is to foster international cooperation and understanding within and between the cities and citizens of Carmel and Jelgava. The Carmel-Jelgava Sister City Committee will promote and develop an active exchange of people and ideas in areas including education, culture, arts, music, dance, government, business and tourism while building relationships and friendships that will last for a lifetime and beyond.
When you stop by their booth, you’ll enjoy illustrations of the choir and dance festivals that occur in Latvia each year.
Carmel-Xiangyang Sister City Committee
The mission of the Carmel-Xiangyang Sister City Committee is to foster international cooperation and understanding within and between the cities of Carmel and Xiangyang, China and to promote Chinese culture, education and business exchange in the Greater Carmel area.
To fulfill this mission, the Committee develops and promotes cultural and education programs as well as, cross-city exchanges and networking opportunities for individuals, groups and organizations in areas such as business, technology, healthcare, housing and urban development, environment, arts, culture, tourism and education.
The Committee will have Chinese music and dance performances on the center sidewalk of Carter Green at 9:30 and 10:30 a.m.
Indianapolis Chinese Community Center, Inc. (ICCCI)
Indianapolis Chinese Community Center, Inc. (ICCCI) is the largest Chinese American Organization in the greater Indianapolis area. Established in 1995, ICCCI is a not-for-profit community organization, solely supported and run by volunteers.
ICCCI comprises the Chinese School and the Cultural Activity Group. ICCCI Chinese School offers Chinese language classes, culturally relevant music/choir, musical instrument, dance, art, and martial art classes, etc.
ICCCI Activity Group comprises lion and dragon dance, folk dance, choir, Kung Fu, TaiJi and sports teams.
The mission of ICCCI is to provide continuous improvement to what is essential to the social awareness, health and well-being of the Chinese community, as well as citizens of all ethnic backgrounds in central Indiana who enjoy Chinese culture and language. ICCCI provides high quality and inclusive educational, health, cultural and social service programs that contribute to a vibrant, multi-cultural landscape in Carmel and central Indiana. Inclusion, involvement, and improvement are ICCCI’s core values.
Ukrainian Society of Indiana, Inc.
Ukrainian Society of Indiana, Inc. is a nonprofit organization aimed at serving Ukrainian Hoosiers and friends of Ukraine through celebrating Ukrainian traditions and forging connections between Indiana and Ukraine.
The Society holds cultural events, festivals, and workshops, and strives to continuously raise awareness of Ukraine’s history and heritage. It also pursues civic objectives of forging relationships between people of Ukraine and Hoosiers through sister city initiatives and participates in the Midwest Crisis Response coalition organized by Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago.
Founded in March of 2022, the Ukrainian Society of Indiana has already made a significant impact in the local community and welcomes everyone to join as members and volunteers so the group can continue to do this important work.
The Society will demonstrate the Chumak, a popular folk dance from Ukraine, at 10:30 a.m. Visitors to the Market are welcome to stop by their booth and join in the dance.
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Please stop by these booths in the grass area along the western edge of the center walkway of Carter Green to learn about the organizations and the many cultures in Carmel.
About the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations
The Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Human Relations was established in November 2009 to advise the mayor and recommend ways to better recognize the contributions of all Carmel residents to our great quality of life and identify any obstacles that may prevent full citizen participation in all of our city’s civic and other activities.