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A great celebration of diversity

Two female students are walking along a corridor where an exhibition is taking place. On the right you can see easels on which paintings have been set up. The girl on the left in traditional Arab dress and a white hijab on her head. The girl on the right dressed in safari style.
What do traditional Indonesian costumes look like, what does Lebanese cuisine taste like, how do you play "7 stones"? These are just some of the interesting facts that participants of the Diversity Festival, which took place at MUW on June 2 and 3, could learn. The festival was organized by our foreign students who form the Diversity x WUM project. The goal? To show that MUW is a unique multicultural community. And it succeeded! It was inspiring, joyful and above all - inclusive.

The Diversity x WUM project was created to nurture diversity and enable cross-cultural friendships. Nearly 800 foreign students from 70 countries are studying at our university. Wanting to share their culture more widely, they created the Diversity x WUM project. And with the support of the university's authorities, they undertook to organize a two-day Diversity Festival, to which they invited the academic community and residents of Warsaw. During the festival, students from 18 countries presented their customs and traditions.

Diversity not differences

- When we talk about diversity, some people may think that we are talking about differences. And this is absolutely wrong, because we are not different, we are the same - said Rector Professor Zbigniew Gaciong at Friday's opening ceremony of the festival. - But each of us offers a certain diversity, resulting from individual characteristics. Diversity is also related to the country of origin, to tradition, to cuisine, to music, etc. Today we have just had a festival of such diversity, represented by our wonderful students.

The Rector welcomed the ambassadors of various countries who came to the event and all the guests. Together with Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion, he also opened an exhibition showcasing different cultures.

- Medical University of Warsaw has students from as many as 70 different countries, so we need to highlight our presence - said Pratheeba Kumaravel, president of the Diversity Project. - This is a great space for us, not only to make international friends, but also to bring inclusivity to life - in the health care system and around the world.

Multicultural and without stereotypes

On Friday afternoon, June 2, the Didactic Center was bustling with life and an array of colors. The first floor was occupied by an exhibition of traditional costumes, artistic and everyday objects, and publications. The Asia-Pacific Museum provided a large Vietnamese vase from its resources. There was an exhibition of cultural works from around the world. It was supported by various organizations, including the Asoto Foundation, UA Edu Hub, the Asia-Pacific Museum, the Korean Cultural Center and embassies. Is it true that Poles still complain, are Greeks loud, are all Saudi Arabians rich and Iranians not very hospitable - these and other stereotypes were dealt with by our students in the posters they prepared.

A colorful kolam strewn with colored salt appeared on the floor of the Didactic Center. A kolam is a symmetrical pattern that women in India create in front of the entrance to their homes. It is traditionally made of rice, sand or flowers.

Kolam and the poster exhibition can still be seen at the Didactic Center.

In the main auditorium, the students presented an artistic program they had prepared. They conducted the event themselves, played and... danced. There were traditional dances from India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Poland, Ukraine, Haiti, vocal performances by students from India, Syria and Palestine. Finally, there were dance workshops - Indian kathak and Bollywood dance were taught, as well as Greek and Ukrainian dances.

- I would like to express my deep appreciation for the tremendous effort of our students and highlight their contribution to the organization of the event: from the great idea to its performance/execution. Your unflagging enthusiasm and commitment made it possible for us to meet here today. And for this we are very proud of you - said Prof. Rafał Krenke, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine.

During the opening ceremony, guests also heard from Prof. Elżbieta Karska, member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Supreme Court judge, professor at the Faculty of Law and Administration at Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw.

Rasm Almashan, a half-Polish, half-Yemeni singer, songwriter and composer, performed at the invitation of the students. Rasm talked about herself, her story and the music she creates, and premiered the music video for INSANIYA ("Humanity"), a single announcing her second album.

A trip around the world

On Saturday, June 3, students were invited to a truly multicultural tent city. People who visited the Banacha campus in large numbers had a chance to have a great trip around the world - without having to buy plane tickets. And the opportunity to learn about the culture, customs and cuisine of as many as 18 different countries: Egypt, Haiti, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Yemen, South Korea, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Taiwan, Greece, Iran, Ukraine, Israel, Peru, and Poland.

At each of the booths prepared by the students, visitors could sample traditional foods or sweets, as well as view jewelry, scarves and traditional clothing, as well as distinctive items and souvenirs.

A culinary workshop was held, during which participants prepared traditional dishes. They were led by students and chefs from Warsaw restaurants. What could be prepared? Among others, Taiwanese mochi, or rice cakes, Malaysian sate, that is grilled chicken skewers, and Pakistani papri chaat, small fried discs of dough called papri with vegetables. One of the most popular dishes of Polish cuisine – pierogi – could not be missed either.
 

The students also prepared art classes, including mask painting according to South Korean tradition and ebru - derived from Turkey - water painting. And there were language workshops presenting the secrets of Korean and Arabic calligraphy art. The youngest participants of the picnic could try children's games from different parts of the world. Played were: "Batu Seremban" from Malaysia, "7 Stones" from Pakistan, "Takji" from South Korea and "Carom" from India. There was no shortage of music, and the students, accompanied by Prof. Zbigniew Gaciong and Jack Sienko, MD, PhD, danced the Indian dance Nattu Nattu.

- Saturday's picnic and Friday's ceremony were a joint effort by the students, their embassies, NGOs and sponsors, as well as MUW authorities and staff, Pratheeba Kumaravel admitted.

- We are happy that together we were able to organize an event that celebrates diversity, promotes cross-cultural understanding and creates lifelong memories - added Kamila Rutkowska of IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch.

Who visited the Diversity Festival

VIP guests: Mervat Mojali, Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen, Mahmud Halifa, Ambassador of the State of Palestine and his wife, Alaa Jadallah, Second Secretary of the Embassy of the State of Palestine, Dr. Khalid Hussain Memon, Ambassador of Pakistan, Syed Muhammad Firdaus, Head of the Chancery of the Embassy of Malaysia, Çağdaş Bilgin, First Counsellor of the Embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Turkey; Majd Khirbik, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic; Herbert Ndahiro, Second Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda, Gladys García Paredes, Minister of the Embassy of Peru; Marcin Witkowski; Assistant for Administration and Finance of the Embassy of Peru; Elena Lagutin, Attaché for Public Diplomacy at the Embassy of Israel, Mateusz Pigoń, Director of the Cultural Department of the Embassy of Israel, Meifen Chen, Director of the Education Division of the Taipei Representative Office in Poland.

And also: 
Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Vice Rector for International Relations, Development and Promotion, Prof. Marek Kuch, Vice Rector for Student Affairs and Education, Prof. Rafał Krenke, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Jacek Sienko, MD, PhD, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine for English Division Student Affairs, Prof. Aneta Nitsch-Osuch, Vice Dean for Programs and Quality of Education, Ewa Czochrowska, MD, PhD, Vice Dean for International Cooperation and the fields of study: Medicine and Dentistry in English and General and Clinical Speech Therapy, Prof. Elżbieta Karska, Member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, Judge of the Supreme Court in the Chamber for Extraordinary Review and Public Affairs, Head of the Department of Human Rights Protection and International Humanitarian Law, Faculty of Law and Administration, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Prof. Urszula Demkow, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics and Clinical Immunology of the Developmental Age.

The event was co-organized by IFMSA-Poland  Warsaw Branch. Patronage was assumed by the Rector of the Medical University of Warsaw.
 
 

 

Kolam which is a symmetrical pattern strewn with salt. It has a round shape in blue, blue, sea, pink colors.
Three female students in traditional Arab costumes.
Exhibition, colorful paintings set up on wooden easels
On a table with the Syrian flag, traditional Syrian dishes.
Exhibit. In the foreground on the left two men in suits. They are looking at the works on display. in the background other visitors to the exhibition.
Audience. Many people are seated in red chairs. In the foreground are two older men in suits.
An elderly man at the lectern. Green palm trees in pots in the background.
Audience. Many people are seated in red chairs. In the foreground a woman in a hijab, next to her men in suits.
An elderly man at the lectern. Green palm trees in pots in the background.
Audience. Many people are seated in red chairs. In the foreground a woman in a hijab, next to her men in suits.
Audience. Many people are sitting on red seats - they are students of various countries in folk costumes. In the foreground are two young girls in colorful costumes.
A woman in a bright red outfit and high headgear dances with her hands raised.
Four couples in Polish folk costumes dance.
A woman at the lectern. Green palm trees in the background.
Three dark-skinned women dance lined up one behind the other. The first and last dressed in white. The middle one in a turban, black blouse and patterned skirt.
A dark-skinned woman in a raspberry-colored dress and a turban on her head sings and dances with her arms outstretched.
Two female students originally from India in traditional Indian dress.
A group from India four girls in traditional costumes plus two boys.
Two dancers from Pakistan wearing long dark collarless shir
Audience. Many people sit in red seats. A few stand and ovate the performances.
A young boy wearing glasses with a Syrian flag on his shoulders sings into a microphone.
Syrian-Palestinian group,. Four men singing. One in traditional dress, one wearing an "arafat "headscarf.
Dancing couple. The girl is dancing in front. She is dressed in a red blouse and black skirt. Behind her is a boy in a white shirt and jeans.
A group of five students from Palestine. They dance wearing "arafat" headscarves on their heads.
Twelve people stand on the stage. One next to the other. Most are men in suits.
Chalice, mortar and tray on a table covered with the Syrian flag.
Two women and two men stand side by side on the stairs. Together they cut the red ribbon.
A group of thirteen people: elderly and students. Two girls in traditional costumes crouch in front. The rest stand behind them.
A boy wearing a traditional red Turkish cap at a booth selling leaflets and various items. On the other side, a student approaches the booth.
A group of ten mostly dark-skinned people are holding a poster with the inscription: Haiti the first black republic in the world.
A laughing girl at the Turkish stand. She holds flags of Turkey in her hands.
On the couch, a student is interviewing a woman dressed in dark clothing.
A woman in a dark outfit sings on stage. Behind her on two screens a photo of a child against a forest background.
Stairs. On them spread red carpet. On the stairs a large group of people. They are holding the flag of Egypt.
Stand with Korean trinkets (socks, stickers, mascots)
Near-Eastern candy stand
Polish stand. Two girls. One of them dressed in folk costume is churning butter.
Ukrainian stand. In the foreground three young long-haired girls.
Two women at the food stand.
Two women in front of Israel's flag stand.
Two men - they analyze the map - in front of a stand with the inscription Greece
Seven men over the Egyptian stand.
Two laughing girls. One dressed in European style, the other in hijab.
A girl wearing a white blouse with buff sleeves, jeans and dark glasses is standing at a booth with a sign reading Iran.
Between the stands The man jumps up on one leg next to him stands a boy.
A boy wearing a cap with "long ears" in his hand holds a fan with the inscription Taiwan. In the background is a hanger on which kimonos are hanging.
A street where a colorful "gate" of balloons was laid out. People are walking along the street.
A young girl wearing a black baseball cap with Syria written on it. The girl claps her hands.
A stand displaying Syrian figurines and other trinkets.
A young girl with an "arafat" on her head and traditional attire. She makes an inviting gesture to the booth. Behind her is the flag of Palestine.
A stand where a young man wearing dark glasses and a black robe, over which he has a jacket on, is standing.
Two Indian women dressed in traditional costumes and four men. stand in the WUM courtyard.
Three dark-skinned students dressed in colorful dresses carry Haiti flag
Pakistan stand. A dozen or so people. Most in folk costumes.
Festivities. In the foreground two tables at one sits a girl. At the other two boys. A man leans over the boys. The children are painting with pa
An elderly man and a young Indian girl with tilaka on their foreheads.
Four men stand side by side. The first and last in blazers. The other two in polo shirts.
Four Egyptian figures.
Tall black vase with dragon motifs.