A Celebration of Joy and Diversity | Medical University of Warsaw

A group of people dancing during a festival. In the center, a woman in a yellow dress with a pattern and a turquoise headdress, with jewelry. She has dark glasses over her eyes and gold earrings in her ears. In the background are colorfully dressed people, tents and festival decorations.

For several hours, the parking lot in front of the WUM Didactic Center pulsed with vibrant colors, flavors, and sounds. In the multicultural village, organized for the third time by our international students, members of the WUM academic community and Warsaw residents gathered to celebrate diversity together.

An opportunity to travel the world without leaving Warsaw doesn’t come around every day. Thanks to our students, visitors could experience cultures from Iran, Ireland, Nigeria, India, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, South Korea, Pakistan, Greece, England, and Turkey. All it took was showing up on May 31st at the Banacha Campus and taking part in the Diversity x WUM Culture Festival.

The Joy of Celebrating Together

From 2:00 PM, the parking area began filling with guests, and their numbers continued to grow by the hour. The weather was perfect—warm and sunny. But what truly made the festival a success was its atmosphere: one of kindness, understanding, and friendship. The air was filled with the sounds of chatter, laughter, and joyful exclamations. It was clear that attendees genuinely enjoyed each other’s company and wanted to celebrate together.

A Multicultural Journey - No Ticket Needed

Besides the wonderful atmosphere, what else awaited visitors? The entire parking lot was filled with the aromas of exotic dishes, some prepared on the spot. You could try Nigerian jollof rice, Persian tahdig rice, or dumplings: crispy, triangular ones stuffed with spiced vegetables from India, and Polish ones garnished with onions. There were also sweets and drinks like ondeh-ondeh from Malaysia - green rice flour balls with pandan leaf and Rooh Afza, a sweet rose-flavored syrup from Pakistan and India, mixed with water or milk, as well as the well-known Mango Lassi.

Women had the chance to wear a traditional South Korean wedding dress and adorn their hands with beautiful Indian decorations. Students also displayed unique items and souvenirs from their countries, and many wore traditional outfits.

Games and activities were available, too, for instance, jegichagi from South Korea, where the goal is to kick a paper-and-metal shuttlecock as high as possible. You could also get a taste of Irish hurling - considered the fastest team sport in the world, where players use flat wooden sticks (hurleys) and a leather ball (sliotar). Children (and adults!) could paint and color, even designing their own colorful versions of a Korean fan.

Music from all corners of the globe played in the background, and of course there was dancing! Audiences were treated to performances from Mexico, India, and Nigeria. All were enthusiastically received, and the Nigerian show turned into a spontaneous group dance that lasted much longer than planned.

More Than Just a Festival

The Culture Festival was preceded by two unique events promoting multiculturalism and inclusion. On May 30th, an exhibition took place at the WUM Didactic Center, showcasing student artworks inspired by their cultures and identities. On display were traditional musical instruments, tea and coffee utensils, clothing, fans, photographs, and a stunning rangoli—a flower-shaped decoration made from colorful powder—on the floor. The exhibition featured items from five countries: Iran, Korea, India, Malaysia, and Poland.

Earlier, on May 9th, students invited everyone to a Cultural Night at Klub Medyk (Oczki club) —a vocal and dance performance evening. You can read more about that event in the article “An Evening of Inclusion at Oczki”.

Festival Opening and Flash Mob Finale

The festival was officially opened by Ananya Saha and Sogol Yourdkhani, ED students and coordinators of Diversity x WUM. Together with the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine English Division, Assoc. Prof. Jacek Sieńko, MD, PhD, and Prof. Agnieszka Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs and Investments, they handed out thank-you certificates to the students who created the festival, as well as to cultural institutions and restaurant representatives who supported the exhibition and festival organization.

Among the attendees were also the the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Paweł Włodarski, MD, PhD , and the faculty’s Deputy -Deans, Prof. Aleksandra Banaszkiewicz and Prof. Tadeusz Grochowiecki. Rector Prof. Rafał Krenke also made it—arriving straight from a conference outside Warsaw.

“I’d like to thank the organizers and everyone involved in this initiative for continuing this wonderful tradition and for making this event even more colorful and attractive,” said the Rector.

He arrived just in time for the lively dance flash mob, which featured students from all participating countries, representatives from the WUM Student Government, and festival attendees who joined in. It was energetic and fun.

Who’s Behind It All?

The Diversity x WUM project, now becoming a signature initiative of our university, is led by students from the English Division of the Faculty of Medicine and the English Dentistry Division of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. Launched in 2023, its goal is to foster diversity and build intercultural friendships - a mission that continues to guide it.
You can learn more about the Diversity x WUM project on its official website.

The creation of the festival is supported by the Faculty of Medicine’s authorities and administrative staff, the English Division Student Government, IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch, and the Office of Communication and Promotion.

We invite you to watch the video and photo coverage of the event and see you next year!

Large letters forming the inscription Diversity x WUM, decorated with mosaic floral patterns. In the background, two people are holding paper flowers. On the right a woman in a white blouse and blue skirt. In the background are trees and fragments of buildings.

A white banner with the words 'Welcome to England' and a graphic of a cloud, a crown, a red telephone box and a guard. Next to it is a table with the flag of Great Britain, on which lie paper cones with sweets and souvenirs.

A boy in a green T-shirt and blue shorts throws colored bags on a mat laid out on the pavement. In the background, a group of people and stands with white tents, on one of which colorful balloons are visible.

Two people participate in painting their hands with henna. The person on the left in traditional costume with a bracelet holds the hand on which the other person applies henna with a gold tube. On the table lie henna cones, colorful boxes and ornaments.

A young woman and a young man stand under a white tent. The woman on the left has a colorful tunic and a maroon shawl on her head, the man on the right a light-colored shirt with a pattern. Both are pointing at something with their fingers. In the background is a Bangladeshi flag and colorful garlands. In the foreground is a plate of food.

A crowd of people at an outdoor event. In the background are rows of white exhibition tents and a modern building with large windows. Attendees dressed variously, some holding plates of food. The event takes place on a paved square surrounded by greenery. The weather is cloudy, but bright.

A young man is standing at a handicraft stand. He has dark hair and a blue shirt. In the foreground is a colorful roulette table with English inscriptions, including 'Pick with your eyes closed.' Next to her are decorative boxes, pictures and a board with the Indian flag.

Three people sit on a mat spread out on the sidewalk and participate in a board game. The mat is divided into squares and contains pawns and cards.

Two young women in traditional costumes stand side by side. One has a blue and purple sari, the other a green and yellow sari with a blue blouse. Both have long dark loose hair. In the background are booths with posters and banners, including the words 'Pakistan' and 'Groceries and more from Pakistan'.

A row of white tents around which people gather. Participants talk and take part in various activities. Some tents decorated with balloons and banners. In the background are trees and buildings.

Two young women are standing side by side, holding hurling sticks. One is wearing a green Vodafone jersey and white shorts, the other a red jersey with white elements and blue shorts. Both have floral garlands around their necks. In the background are people and tents.

Five people - three young men and two women stand close together and pose for a photo. They are smiling. They are dressed in a variety of outfits, including traditional ones. Buildings and trees are visible in the background.

Two young women stand side by side against the backdrop of a white tent. One has pink hair, a colorful sequined vest and a white top, while the other is wearing a black dress with a white pattern and holding a microphone to which she is speaking. A white tent can be seen in the background.

Six people stand under a tent outside. The three people on the left hold together a diploma, which they hand to the person on the right. The faces have been blurred. In the background are balloons in white, pink and yellow.

Six people stand under a white tent on a paved surface. In the background are balloons in red, white and yellow. One person holds an open briefcase with documents and a diploma. The people's outfits range from elegant to casual.

A group of people - young women and young men stand under a white tent with the flag of Pakistan. They are smiling for a photo. On a table in front of them are two dispensers of pink drinks, bottles of sauces, books and other items.

Two young women with green garlands around their necks stand in front of a stand with Irish flags, balloons and a landscape poster. One is wearing a blue and white striped blouse and white pants, while the other is wearing a white sleeveless blouse with a light-colored handbag. Both have light-colored hair. They are smiling for the photo.

A young woman with dark loose hair a top with a floral pattern and a transparent panel on her neckline raises her hands, pointing her fingers upward. On her wrists are bracelets, in her ears earrings. In the background are trees and a section of a building.

Young women and young men in traditional costumes dance on a paved square in front of a modern building. Faces are covered. In the background is a crowd of people, some taking pictures or recording. White tents and balloons in pink, white and gold are visible.

A crowd of people gathered outside in front of white exhibition tents. In the background, modern buildings. Some people are taking photos or videos with their phones.

A group of people in colorful traditional costumes dance on a cobblestone surface during an outdoor event. In the background is a crowd of observers taking photos, tents and office buildings. The scene takes place outside.

Three women are dancing outdoors in colorful traditional costumes. One has a pink skirt and a red fan, another a purple skirt with a red sash, the third a black skirt and a pink blouse with a blue fan. In the background are spectators, trees and a tent.

Three people are dancing in the open air. One has a traditional African outfit and a headscarf on her head, another has a pink blouse with a pattern and a black cap, and the third has a blue dress with white dots. In the background are trees, cars and other people.

Two men in traditional costumes dance, holding hands, during the event. Other people, tents and residential buildings are visible in the background. Some participants are talking or using phones. In the sky, clouds.

A group of people stand in front of a stand with the word “IRAN” on the background of the Iranian flag. In the foreground, a woman in a red blouse and vest claps her hands. Some people dressed in traditional costumes. In the background are colorful decorations and participants in the event.

A man - the rector of WUM - in a blue checkered jacket holds a microphone and speaks. Next to him stands a young woman with long dark hair in a black dress with white buttons. In the background are balloons in white, pink and yellow and participants in the event.

Five people stand under a white tent outside. The man in the center - the rector of WUM - holds a microphone and speaks. In the background are balloons in white, pink and yellow and other participants in the event. The ground is paved.

A group of people outside during an event. A woman in a red dress with patterns lifts her phone while taking a photo or video. Henna is visible on her hands. Next to her stands a man in a blue jacket. In the background are colorful balloons and event participants.

A crowd of people outside during a festival. A young man in a shirt holds a girl in a blue sweatshirt and pink pants on his shoulders. In the background are modern buildings and white exhibition tents, with people around watching the booths and talking.

Seven people stand outside during the event. They are the dean's authorities and representatives of the student government. background of exhibition tents and trees. The people are dressed variously: including a man in a red jacket, a woman in a white blouse and green dress, a woman in a flowery skirt, and a woman with a scarf around her neck.

Five people are standing in front of the white exhibition tents. They are the authorities of the Medical Faculty. The two people on the left are elegantly dressed, the third holds a cane and is wearing a light-colored suit. The fourth has a hat and a backpack, the fifth wears a red plaid shirt and holds a mug. In the background are decorative balloons.

A table with dishes and the Malaysian flag. On the table three containers: green balls with white powder, pieces of chocolate cake and yellow pancakes with a bowl of red sauce and a ladle. Nearby lie wooden chopsticks and plastic cutlery.

Pinata in the shape of a unicorn suspended on a string. Made of white paper, with pink horn and hooves and mane and tail in blue, yellow and pink. In the background are participants of the outdoor event, tents and buildings.

White banner covered with colorful handprints in the colors of red, blue, green, yellow and purple. In the center you can see the inscription “DIVERSITY X WUM”, where the letter “X” is red and the others are black.

An exhibition of traditional Korean musical instruments in front of an ornate screen with a painting of cranes and pine trees. Visible are a Buk drum, a Janggu drum, a small Kkwaenggwari gong and a large Jing gong. On the left is an information board in Korean and English.

Two men hang colorful outfits on a rack by the window. One holds an orange outfit with green accents. In the background, flower decorations and a mosaic sign. Bicycles and buildings are visible outside the window.

A table with a white tablecloth with folk patterns, on which handicrafts were set: a figurine of a cat with a fish, a colorful bird, a blue dresser with flowers and other decorations. In the background, people at the window and decorations on the glass.

Three easels with paintings in the room. The left painting depicts colorful butterflies on a green background, the middle one - leaves of tropical plants, and the right one - a partially visible floral motif. In the foreground are fans and fabrics, with windows in the background.

An exhibition dedicated to Iran. On a table with a green tablecloth in a Persian pattern were set copper dishes, jugs and bowls. In the background are posters of Iranian monuments, a board with the word “IRAN” and books and brochures. Behind the table stand two young women, smiling for a photo.

A table with handicrafts such as fans, hats and decorative mats. On the table lies a brochure with the words “MALAYSIA.” In the background are paintings on easels and decorations. The room is bright, with large windows.

Two women in traditional Indian dress sit on the floor and create rangoli - a decoration made of colored powder in the shape of a flower with pink petals, a yellow center and white patterns. Containers of powder and tools lie around.