Join Green Card Voices and the Minnesota Historical Society for the exhibit opening event for “My City Was a Sparkling Jewel: Voices of Newcomer Youth from Afghanistan.”

This exhibit was inspired by the book My City Was a Sparkling Jewel: Voices of Newcomer Youth from Afghanistan. Using a trauma-informed approach to storytelling, Green Card Voices and its Afghan partners carefully collected first-person accounts of the diverse journeys of 30 storytellers, ages sixteen to twenty-one, who come from various ethnic groups: Pashtun, Hazara, Pashai, and Tajik. Their stories share the challenges faced, opportunities grasped, and dreams these youth had, and still have, for themselves, and for the families and friends they left behind. This work was produced in collaboration between Edison High School, South High School, LEAP High School, Green Card Voices, funders and many community partners.

Event Schedule:

6:00 – 6:45 p.m. | Welcome, Exhibit Viewing & Dinner

Enjoy halal dinner, explore the exhibit, and hear brief welcome remarks.

6:45 – 7:15 p.m. | Storyteller Reflections

Hear reflections from three storytellers featured in the exhibit.

7:15 - 8:00 p.m. | Story Stitch Circles

Participate in facilitated storytelling circles with Afghan newcomers and local community members.

Come connect with neighbors, share stories, and help us honor the resilience, courage, and contributions of the Afghan community in Minnesota. Bring a friend, everyone is welcome!

The book My City Was a Sparkling Jewel, Story Stitch conversation card decks, and other titles from Green Card Voices will be available in the museum store.

Let’s come together to celebrate culture, conversation, and connection.

To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact engagement@mnhs.org.

This event was made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008.

By registering for this event, you agree to share your contact information with Green Card Voices.

More information about Green Card Voices

Green Card Voices is a Minneapolis-based, nationally growing nonprofit that connects immigrants and their communities through multimedia storytelling. We record the first person narratives of immigrants and publish them in books, online, and in traveling exhibits.