Westport To Hold United Nations Day Celebration

WESTPORT, CT — The town will hold a ceremony Monday at 3:30 p.m. on the front steps of Town Hall to mark the 76th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

In a news release, Westport officials said the town's International Hospitality Committee will conduct the ceremony with support from the UN Association of Southwestern Connecticut.

The event is free and the public is invited to attend, however those present must maintain social distancing at all times.

First Selectman Jim Marpe will open the program with welcoming remarks. UNASWCT president and International Hospitality Committee member Bill Hass will offer a message from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for UN Day.

Lucas Slater and Aidan Rogers, president and vice president of Staples High School's Model UN, will assist in raising the UN flag.

This year’s special guest is Aye Aye Thant, a Westport resident and daughter of former UN Secretary-General U Thant, who will speak on the important work of the UN. Members of the Staples High School Orphenians a cappella group will provide musical selections.

Local officials, including State Representatives Jonathan Steinberg and Stephanie Thomas, State Senators Tony Hwang and Will Haskell, and Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, have been invited to attend the ceremony.

The flags of UN member countries will be flying on the Ruth Steinkraus-Cohen Memorial Bridge in observance of United Nations Day, the anniversary of the UN's founding on Oct. 24, 1945.