A Cultural Bridge in Lawrence
The Algerian men’s national soccer team used Lawrence, Kansas, as its base camp during the FIFA World Cup, turning the Midwestern city into a temporary home for thousands of fans who arrived to support the squad.
A farewell gathering called “Thank You Lawrence” was organized by Algerian women from Gardner, Olathe, Overland Park and Lawrence, filling the Granada Theater with cultural performances, food and heartfelt thanks to the city’s residents and police.
At its peak, about a hundred people were inside the theater, while nearly double that number passed through over three hours, underscoring the deep appreciation felt by the visitors.
Event organizers Louiza Cherfi and Hafidha Mansouri spoke of a profound sense of belonging, crediting the warm hospitality they experienced and the role of community accountability in keeping public spaces safe.
Lawrence police officers, led by lieutenants Mark Unruh and David Ernst, took part in the celebration, highlighting the mutual respect that had grown between the force and the Algerian contingent.
Local artist Stan Herd marked the occasion by painting an Algerian flag on the Lied Center lawn at the University of Kansas, while longtime resident Tommee Sherwood cheered for the team, calling them “our own.”
Cherfi and Mansouri announced plans to hold the celebration annually, promising to continue the partnership with the city’s people and its police department.
Ilyas Dey, a 19‑year‑old Algerian‑American film student, documented the events for an independent documentary that will soon be screened in Lawrence, preserving the story of the cultural exchange.