LEWISTON – A series of discussions aimed at bridging the gap between nationalities in Lewiston-Auburn will continue next year, according to organizers.

The Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence has added a fifth series of community conversations, set to begin in January at the Auburn Public Library.

“And we’ll add more as the year goes on,” said the center’s Steve Wessler. “We’ve found that these are a very comfortable, very relaxed way to get people to talk about their differences, their nationalities and their customs.”

One group of discussions is scheduled to begin today at 6 p.m. at the Lewiston Public Library. That group will meet for the next four Mondays in the library.

A second group begins its series at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Chamber of Commerce offices, 415 Lisbon St.

Two other groups are scheduled to meet in November and December in Lewiston, at the River Valley Community Center on Strawberry Avenue and at the B-Street Community Center, 57 Birch St.

The center first offered the discussions last spring, bringing together a diverse group from across Lewiston-Auburn for dinner and conversation.

“The people that did it earlier said it really felt great,” Wessler said. “It’s not just Somalis here now, but there are many other heritages represented. This is a chance to get firsthand information about their beliefs and customs. That’s different from the way we normally get that kind of information, which is by rumor. And that’s usually wrong.”

The event is open to about 20 people.

“We want this to be a conversation, so that’s about the limit,” Wessler said. “It’s a structured dialogue that starts out focusing on religion, but the topic moves to whatever the people attending want to discuss.”

Wessler said the two groups beginning this week already have 18 attendees registered.

“But there is plenty of room for the groups starting in November, and we’re just starting to register people for the session in January,” he said.

People interested in attending should contact the center, at 780-4756 or via E-mail at [email protected], or [email protected]