Brooklynites from all origins embraced and shared their culture, celebrating the borough’s diversity at the 5th annual International Day of Friendship.
On Sunday, hundreds of Brooklynites joined Borough President Eric L. Adams to celebrate the fifth annual International Day of Friendship.
The festivities kicked off with the Unity Parade of Flags. Brooklynites from more than 80 countries carrying the flags of 195 nations marched down Fulton Street toward Brooklyn Borough Hall. Following the parade, the celebration continued at Brooklyn Borough Hall and Columbus Park with performances from a variety of local cultural groups including Panamanian dance group Nuevo Milenio, Ajna Indian Dance Company, the Brooklyn Ballet and Tahitian dance school Ori Manea.
The Global Village welcomed countries from around the world showcasing their cultures, cuisines and customs, and featured nations such as Belarus, Ghana, Turkey, Egypt, Mongolia, Poland, Turkey and South Africa, to name a few.
It was a day of unity and friendship, that also had moments of reflection on what diversity, inclusivity and solidarity mean in the nation’s current political climate when Adams addressed the crowd.
“This International Day of Friendship is to acknowledge the friendship that we have. No matter what happens nationally, locally is where it matters,” Adams said. “If we say hello to each other, if we learn different languages and eat different foods, if we interact with each other, we turn back any roads of hate and we will show that love prevails.”
Adams initiated the event five years ago as part of his “Embrace Your Hyphen” campaign that encourages Brooklynites to celebrate and learn about the borough’s beautiful diversity through awareness campaigns and cultural programming. And true to the spirit, attendees from all origins came to embrace and share their culture. Take a look at our photo gallery!
Brooklynites from more than 80 countries carrying the flags of 195 nations marched down Fulton Street toward Brooklyn Borough Hall. 
The Chinese delegation brought good fortune with their lions, 
…and good luck with their dragons. 
Nicaragua 
The Moroccan American Council to Empower Women 
New York Music Dance Organization 
Ghana 
Palestine 
Korea 
Afghan Women for Women Organization 
Panama 
Panama 
South Africa 
BP Adams with the Haitian delegation. 
Panamanian dance group Nuevo Milenio 
Lt. Governor Katy Hochhul with volunteers. 
Harambe African Dance Company recruited some young volunteers. 
Ajna Indian Dance Company also asked the crowd to participate. 
Attendees fully embraced their “hyphens” and took the opportunity to take a picture with their flag. 
Stilt walkers also joined the parade. 
Guyana represented with beautiful crowns. 
Ghana 
Egypt represented its ancient culture. 
Also South Africa had cultural artifacts on display. 
As did Belarus. 
Turkey 
The Moroccan American Council to Empower Women 
The United Nations of Brooklyn were on full display in front of Brooklyn Borough Hall.