Conversations about Haiti typically center the island’s political collapse, asylum-seeking people, and generational loss of knowledge. However, by shifting the context, space is created for nuance and agency.

Thousands of Haitians are establishing homes in Greater Boston, making up nearly six percent of the city’s immigrant population in 2021; Haitians are the fifth-largest immigrant group. As the community continues to flourish, the country’s cuisine offers familiarity, healing, and the opportunity to reclaim a rich culture.

Haitian restaurants began taking root in Boston in the 1980s, with one of the first being Le Foyer Bakery. Moments like this in Mattapan and across the country demonstrated necessary milestones that helped dismantle the idea of Caribbean cuisine as a monolith, making it easier for immigrants to find culturally relevant food from their respective islands.

Now, Haitian food can be found in practically every neighborhood, representing different generations and parts of the country’s culture. These spots build camaraderie, supply arguably some of the best meals in Boston, and carry on legacies. Scroll below to find a list of restaurants that exemplify the spirit of Ayiti (the native name of the island) in Greater Boston.

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Boston police officers arrested a 23-year-old man seen holding a loaded firearm outside Dorchester District Court on Friday, police say.

Police officers arrested Roberto Valladares at around 10:38 a.m. near the intersection of Washington Street and Tremlett Street for firearm related charges, according to a statement from the Boston Police Department.

Officers had exited the courthouse and were waiting to participate in a court proceeding when they saw Valladares pointing the firearm at people in front of him before securing it in his waistband and continuing down Tremlett Street, the statement said.

Valladares ran across Washington Street toward West Tremlett Street after they commanded that Valladares drop the gun, authorities say. 

Officers chased Valladares into a fenced private yard where he “ran towards the back of the yard, and with a throwing motion, launched the handgun over a chain link fence and immediately faced Officers in a fighting posture disobeying all commands,” police said.

Officers reported recovering the firearm — a Glock 19 loaded with one 9mm round in the chamber and 11 rounds loaded in the magazine — and arrested Valladares, who is expected to be arraigned in District Court for the charges of possession of a large capacity firearm, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, carrying a firearm without a license, unlawful possession of ammunition, and assault with a dangerous weapon.

AROUND THE WORLD The final week of the Mary Baker Eddy Library’s “One World” series will take place this week, with activities themed to India. Author Rajani LaRocca will read from two of his books at 12:15 p.m. — “I’ll Go and Come Back” and “Seven Golden Rings” — copies of which will be available for children to take home for free. There will also be a dance performance from Triveni School of Dance at 11 a.m. and art activities ranging from Diwali diya pots to Uttarayan festival paper bag kites. July 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Christian Science Plaza, 210 Massachusetts Ave. marybakereddylibrary.org

CELEBRATE To commemorate 44 years of service to Boston’s LGBTQ+ community, BAGLY, The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth, is hosting a mixer. Head to its community center to learn more about the group’s programming, hear from executive director Grace Sterling Stowell, and enjoy a slice of the annual cake-cutting. BAGLY, which is a “youth-led, adult-supported organization,” according to its website, was founded in 1980 to serve young LGBTQ+ individuals in greater Boston. July 31, 6 to 8 p.m. Free. BAGLY Community Center, 28 Court Square. eventbrite.com

LISTEN The Fort Point Arts Community is hosting its first concert series, and its second of five concerts will take place at FPAC Art Space this week. Two performers, Mattias Kaufmann and Bahar Badieitabar, will take the stage to present a program of their original compositions, traditional Persian music, and more. Kaufmann, an accordionist who graduated from New England Conservatory, has performed in numerous festivals and currently performs with the New England Greek orchestra. Badieitabar moved from Tehran to the United States to study at Berklee, and now performs in Danilo Perez’s Global Jazz Messengers. Aug. 2, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free. FPAC Art Space, 70 Sleeper St. eventbrite.com

EATING GOOD Head over to SoWa Boston’s Summer Food Truck Festival for a day of delicious eats, music by DJ CarlitosWave, and lawn games and sidewalk chalk for the whole family. Admission is free, with food available for purchase at 18 vendors, ranging from 90+ Cellars wine truck to Crepe Shop to Wanderlust Global Food and Wild Pops ice pops. The fun will go on rain or shine. Aug. 3, noon to 5 p.m. Free. SoWa, 500 Harrison Ave. sowaboston.com

COME TO YOUR SENSES MF Dynamics and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is hosting the first-ever Future Fest, which will have a multisensory performance using City Hall’s facade as a stage for projections onto the building while performers play music. Plus, there will be five interactive light art pieces, including one where your movement will become a “lava lamp-like work of art,” on the building, according to Maria Finkelmeier, owner of MF Dynamics. Aug. 3, 8 to 11 p.m. Free. City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Square. eventbrite.com

STORYTIME Since it opened in April 2022, Hummingbird Books in Chestnut Hill has hosted a weekly Sunday story time in its Great Oak Tree. This week, join author Tim Button as he reads from his books “Are You Wiggly?” and “Are You Giggly?” Aug. 4, 11 to 11:30 a.m. Free. Hummingbird Books, Suite 5510 55 Boylston St., Chestnut Hill. thebostoncalendar.com

Deals & Steals

GARDEN OF INFLUENCE On the first Thursday of every month, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum offers free admission. This month, it’s also hosting “Party on our Block,” in celebration of how queer communities have influenced Boston. From 5:30 to 6:30 and 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., Dorchester native DJ RAYVINO will play in the museum’s courtyard, and there will be a workshop on how “how queerness can be a map to true love,” per its website, at the same times. Plus, check out the museum’s many exhibits, including “On Christopher Street: Transgender Portraits by Mark Seliger.” Aug. 1, 3 to 9 p.m. Free. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 25 Evans Way. gardnermuseum.org

Send info on one-time and recurring Boston-area free events and discounts at least 10 days in advance to arts@globe.com with “Boston at a bargain” as the subject line.

Emily Wyrwa can be reached at emily.wyrwa@globe.com. Follow her @emilywyrwa.