A gathering in Manchester, New Hampshire, brought together members of the Congolese community to celebrate the independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and acknowledge the contributions of refugees and immigrants in their new home. New Hampshire Public Radio
Under a bright midday sun, the national flag of the DRC fluttered above Manchester’s City Hall, while attendees sang the national anthem (“Debout Congolais”) and honored both tradition and community growth. New Hampshire Public Radio The event was more than a celebration—it was a statement of presence and belonging.
Community voices echoed pride in the moment. Sarah Georges, a first-generation Congolese American, said:
“Every year you see us growing up in numbers, and it is beautiful, because we have our families here, we have our traditions here. We can celebrate our customs … we can dress up and feel amazing, like we would back home.” New Hampshire Public Radio
Her mother, Mary Georges, one of the earliest Congolese refugees to arrive in Manchester in 1993, estimated the community has grown from “seven” people when she arrived to today’s “a thousand.” New Hampshire Public Radio
Manchester’s mayor at the time, Joyce Craig, offered recognition and encouragement:
“From my perspective, the people living here in our community, their diversity, is our strength. And to be celebrating with the Congolese community means a lot.” New Hampshire Public Radio
This event demonstrated three key themes:
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Identity & belonging – The Congolese diaspora in New Hampshire is growing and claiming celebration of its heritage in public space.
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Immigrant contribution – The gathering acknowledged that “home” is not only back in the DRC, but also in the U.S., and that traditions can thrive in a diaspora setting.
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Visibility matters – By raising the DRC flag and staging a public event, the community signalled that their presence and culture are alive, recognized and valued.
For your work in communications and storytelling, this article can serve as inspiration for how diaspora communities mesh tradition with new-home context—whether for event coverage, social media posts, or community profiles.
