Media | Mosaic

top of page

Mosaic-2019-jgensheimer-008 (1).JPG

World Refugee Day

Hundreds of Santa Clara refugee community members came together at the Campbell Community Center on June 14 to celebrate World Refugee Day. The 27th annual event, free and open to the public, included ethnic performances, presentations and activities highlighting the diverse cultures of Santa Clara County’s refugee population. The event “gives people from different cultures the opportunity to represent their countries and know they are welcomed and celebrated,” said Claire Collins, outreach coordinator for refugee foster care at the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.

Community youth dressed in vibrant ethnic clothing begin a Vietnamese cultural dance at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara on June 14.

Twirling in handwoven traditional garments, youth participants perform a folkloric dance from Guadalajara, Mexico, at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

Master of Ceremonies Renee Paquier talks to a performer from the Vietnamese dance group at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

Youth participant from the Vietnamese cultural group, sings "This Girl is on Fire" by Alicia Keys at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

Dressed in a traditional qipao, a dancer performs a Chinese cultural dance at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

Esther Tang embraces her father, Zhong Liang Tang, after his performance of the Chinese martial art tai chi at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

Crystal Yu, Field Representative for Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo, poses for a picture with award recipient Ellie Clelland of the Refugee and Immigrant Forum of Santa Clara County. The award recognizes the community organization and its efforts in preparing the celebration of World Refugee Day in the Campbell Community Center on June 14.

A youth participant carrying a brightly adorned dragon costume is lifted in the air while performing a Chinese ceremonial lion dance. The Buu Kim Tu Dragon and Lion Dance Association performs cultural dances throughout the Bay Area, this year, featured at World Refugee Day in the Campbell Community Center on June 14.

Participants modeling traditional Vietnamese garments pose for the audience, creating a heart shape with their bodies and linking arms as they continue along the runway at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

Jasmine Fathi, from the Beshka Dance Academy, flicks her wrists as she performs a traditional Persian dance for the 27th annual World Refugee Day celebrated in the Campbell Community Center on June 14.

Participants in the 27th annual World Refugee Day, hosted at the Campbell Community Center, model traditional Vietnamese wedding garments in an ethnic clothing fashion show on June 14.

Lamial Mahari Kralj, left, Senait Abraha, and Arara T. Weldegebril perform a cultural dance at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

Participants from the Vietnamese cultural group perform a traditional dance at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

(left to right) Wassim Hage, Deellan Khanaka, Ahmad Merhebi, and Jana Kadah perform a traditional line dance from Levant called Dabke at World Refugee Day in Campbell, Santa Clara, on June 14.

World Refugee Day

Hundreds of Santa Clara refugee community members came together at the Campbell Community Center on June 14 to celebrate World Refugee Day. The 27th annual event, free and open to the public, included ethnic performances, presentations and activities highlighting the diverse cultures of Santa Clara County’s refugee population. The event “gives people from different cultures the opportunity to represent their countries and know they are welcomed and celebrated,” said Claire Collins, outreach coordinator for refugee foster care at the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.

San Jose Murals: Photo story by Jocelyn Cervantes, Abel Angel Gonzalez and Camille Gandrota