The Vanport Mosaic Festival turns 10 years old, and the memories and documentation keep flowing about the city destroyed by a flood in 1948.

Organized by Laura Lo Forti, a self-described “story midwife” and the festival’s co-founder and co-director, Vanport Mosaic invites the public to participate in two weeks of “memory activism” through exhibits, walking tours, performances, screenings, conversations and community gatherings that honor Portland’s silenced histories and celebrate resilience to preserve the history of the old North Portland city and area.

It runs from May 16 to June 1.

“The stories we uplift during this festival remind us that communities have always fought for justice and imagined better futures—often with limited resources, but with deep courage and collective care,” Lo Forti said. “In remembering these lessons from the past, we’re reminded of our shared humanity, and how deeply our stories and struggles are connected. In that connection, we find the inspiration and strength we need for the work ahead.”

The World War II-era Vanport was a community supported by a shipyard, until a Columbia River dike busted, destroying the city in 1948.

Events will take place in venues across Portland and are offered for free or sliding scale. Festival headquarters is Alberta House, 5131 N.E. 23rd Ave., where there’ll be four exhibits: “Vanport: A Surge of Social Change,” “The Climate Refugees of Vanport — Artwork by Henk Pander,” “Cardboard Artwork” by Bayo, “Impressions of Vanport” by third-grade students at Buckman Elementary School.

Highlights:

“Precipice,” May 16-June 1, CoHo Theatre
A Vanport Mosaic theatrical production conceived and performed by Damaris Webb, exploring the weight of personal and collective inheritance. Written by Chris Gonzalez, directed by Olivia Mathews.

Vanport Community Annual Reunion, May 17, invitation only
A special annual gathering for Vanport former residents and flood survivors.

Black Panthers Legacy Tour of Albina, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. May 18, Matt Dishman Center
Led by Kent Ford, co-founder of Portland’s Black Panther Party.

“Malcolm X at 100,” 6 p.m.-8 p.m. May 19, Alberta House
On Malcolm X’s birthday, join Kent Ford for an evening of reflection, readings, and conversation honoring his life and legacy.

“Fasten Your Seatbelts: It’s Been a Bumpy Ride,” 8 a.m.-noon May 20
A four-hour bus tour with the Fair Housing Council of Oregon tracing the history and ongoing impact of housing segregation.

“Spirit of Vanport,” 3 p.m.-5 p.m. May 21, PSU Vanport Building
Celebration of Portland State’s origins as Vanport College and its place in the rich history of Vanport, hosted by PSU Office of Diversity and Global Inclusion and the Vanport Mosaic.

“Lost City, Living Memories: Vanport Through the Voices of Its Residents,” 6 p.m.-8 p.m. May 24, Alberta House
Screening of short oral history documentaries from the Vanport Mosaic collection. With music performance by the Northwest Freedom Singers.

“Memories in The Taking,” 6 p.m.-8 p.m. May 29, Alberta House
A staged reading culled from over 400 walking oral history narratives on Black life and aging in Portland part of the SHARP program — conceived by Dr. Raina Croff, and co-directed by Clarice Bailey.

Vanport Day of Remembrance, 12:30 p.m.-5 p.m. May 31, Delta Park and Expo Center
Tours, performances, pop-up exhibits, screenings, and storytelling on the land where Vanport once stood and nearly 4,000 Japanese Americans were unjustly incarcerated.

“We Are Still Here,” 3 p.m.-5 p.m. June 1, Expo Center
A culminating site-specific performance co-presented by Vanport Mosaic and Resonance Ensemble, featuring Chisao Hata’s Portland Assembly Center Project and the world premiere of “On This Land” by Kenji Bunch.

More: vanportmosaic.org.