Decorated in lights and adorned with colorful posters and decorations, the Mandela Room in the Old University Union came to life as students danced, sang and performed a diverse range of presentations to showcase their unique cultures.
Attendees gathered Thursday night for Binghamton University’s sixth annual Global Fiesta, an event celebrating holidays around the world hosted by the Multicultural Resource Center. Various student groups, including the Black Student Union, Muslim Student Association and Asian Student Union, presented and tabled to share information about their religious and cultural traditions both during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Tanya Barnes, a diversity fellow for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said organizers hoped the event educated and relaxed students as well as encouraged campus diversity.
“[I hope] that they learn something new about a different cultural group or celebration that they haven’t learned about,” Barnes said, “[that] they feel like they’re supported if they celebrate a particular holiday — they can come here and know that we recognize and support them.”
Student organizations presented on upcoming winter holidays, including Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Christmas, as well as other important cultural holidays such as Chinese New Year, Eid-al-Fitr and Nowruz.
The event included performances by the Ballroom Dance Association, Slam Poetry, Abhishek Sharma and the Confucius Institute of Chinese Opera (CICO). Dan Roman, a senior majoring in English and the president of Slam Poetry, said he was grateful to be a part of such a diverse group of performers.
“What we do doesn’t usually go alongside with what they do,” Roman said. “It’s just a cool excuse to get everyone in the same room sharing our talents.”
The CICO’s performance displayed an example of Chinese Kun Opera, with a vocal performance by BU professor Linghui Tu and a bamboo-flute accompaniment by visiting professor Shijun Cheng. Cheng is from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, and is teaching Chinese music ensemble at BU this semester.
Sulpoong, a Korean percussion and instrument group, also gave a percussion performance involving synchronized drumming and chanting. Drummers wore traditional Korean garments and performer Gina Lee, a junior majoring in integrative neuroscience, said she hoped attendees appreciated the display of Korean culture.
“Just an awareness of Korean culture, we are out there and it’s not just a typical Chinese culture,” Lee said. “We want people to try to expand and have people know the difference between Chinese culture and our own distinct Korean culture.”
Groups tabled, offering information on more holidays and events specific to their organizations. Israel Silva, a junior majoring in human development who tabled with the Latin American Student Union, said he enjoyed both representing his culture and learning more about others.
“It’s great that we get different cultures and different holidays that aren’t all mainstream,” Silva said. “It’s a great way to educate yourself.”
Nick Natalizio, a sophomore majoring in chemistry, said he was glad he took a study break and attended the Global Fiesta.
“The performances, the food — everything was awesome,” Natalizio said. “I’m really glad I came tonight.”