Mayor William Peduto has officially named this week “National Welcoming Week” in Pittsburgh, and as part of the week the City County Building is hosting an exhibit showcasing some immigrants to Allegheny County for the next month.
“What better way than to open up city hall and promote that message of immigrant integration, so that passersby, just regular people who are coming in and out of our building are getting to see the faces of our growing immigrant community,” said Betty Cruz, nonprofit and faith-based manager for the mayor’s office.
The exhibit displays portraits of immigrants captioned with their aspirations, textiles made by rural Andean women, Turkish immigrants painting on water, Roberto Clemente photographs, and “Hear Me” kiosks where people can listen to children talking about their personal immigration stories.
Cruz said that the event not only allowed many of the Welcoming Council members to meet immigrants to the area, but it also allowed immigrants to get to know each other and start to feel a part of the community.
“[Immigrants] are going to be the future taking us to the next phase, and we have to be the type of city that recognizes that and welcomes it,” said Mayor Peduto.
The week also coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, which is being celebrated at the exhibit.
Luis Clemente, son of the famous Pittsburgh Pirate who was killed in a plane crash in 1972 delivering relief supplies to an earthquake stricken Nicaragua, attended the event that in part honored his father who was an immigrant from Puerto Rico.
“People here are incredible. They’re amazing, and you feel it. You can’t hide that, and I really appreciate how you have made for our family, our second home [in Pittsburgh],” said Clemente.
Welcoming Week continues on through September 24th.
