BOSTON — The welcome reception for new citizens, their families and friends at Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway, Boston was held under sunny skies, during an otherwise rain soaked week, on Thursday, September 21.
The Anna and Noubar Afeyan Endowed Fund of Armenian Heritage Park supports the annual Welcome Reception for New Citizens at the Park following the Naturalization Ceremony at Faneuil Hall.
“The welcome reception contributes decisively to Heritage Park’s intent to celebrate the immigrant experience and its core mission of inclusion to come together on common ground,” said Armine Afeyan, founding chair of the 2015 welcome reception.
Following the Naturalization Ceremony, the Dixieland jazz band, Riverboat Stompers, led the new citizens, their families and friends through Faneuil Hall Marketplace to Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway.
At the park, American flags, flying in the warm breeze, dotted the perimeter of the Park. Bouquets of red, white and blue balloons tied to each bench surrounding the labyrinth added to the celebratory festivities. The spirited and energetic music of Black Sea Salsa, the 12-piece band led by Dan Teager, filled the air with many of his original compositions.
As each new citizen arrived, the fourth grade students and their teachers from the Boston Public School’s Eliot Innovation School in the North End joined the Friends of Heritage Park to warmly welcome the newly naturalized citizens with rousing applause and cheers of congratulations. Each New Citizen received a flashing light star. Friends of Christopher Columbus Park and residents from the North End and Rowes Wharf were among the Friends extending congratulations.
