Our campus transformed into a vibrant global village as students and staff came together to celebrate Ethnic Day. Led and seamlessly executed by the events team from the Student Council, the celebration highlighted the rich cultural diversity that defines our global community. Leaving behind their everyday routines, the campus community came alive in a vivid display of heritage, as students and faculty proudly showcased their traditional clothing; from heavily embroidered, vibrant kurtas and elegant shalwar kameez to beautifully patterned indigenous fabrics.
At the heart of the celebration were the magnificent cultural stalls representing six distinct nations: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UAE, and Nepal. Managed by passionate student teams, each stall operated under a designated budget. From building stalls to crafting colourful paper lanterns and backdrops, the teams channelled their creative freedom to transform standard spaces into immersive cultural hubs.
The sensory journey truly took off at the food stalls, where attendees exchanged specialized event tokens for an incredible variety of authentic, homemade delicacies. The India booth celebrated with tangy and spicy Lays chip chaat and refreshing, syrup-infused ice golas, while the Philippines stall transported visitors to a traditional Sari-Sari neighborhood convenience store, serving up the iconic layered dessert Halo-Halo (literally meaning “mix-mix”), fruity ice candies, and a wide variety of classic Filipino snacks. The UAE offered a warm taste of Emirati hospitality with sweet, golden Luqaimat, spiced Chebab pancakes, Harees mutton, and hot flasks of traditional tea and Gahwa. Nearby, Nepal displayed beautiful handmade glass bead bracelets, bookmarks with traditional Nepalese designs, and delicate foil jewelry alongside popular snacks like Chatpate, Nimki, and a refreshing yogurt drink called Mahi. Sri Lanka featured a massive spread served on banana leaves, including savory veg rotis, chicken patties, fish buns, chicken rolls, and traditional sweets like Kokis, Dodol, love cake, and Kiri toffee, alongside ginger beer (a non-alcoholic fizzy drink), wood-apple, and passion fruit drinks. Finally, the Pakistan stall drew long lines with hearty Punjabi samosas, crisp Gol Gappay, sweet orange Jalebis, and warm, syrup-soaked Gulab Jamuns.
Beyond the food, the atmosphere remained electric throughout the afternoon. Rhythm filled the air as students gathered to play music, sing along to favorite tunes, and initiate spontaneous dances. More than just a lively festival, Ethnic Day was an excellent exercise in student leadership, budgeting, and cross-cultural collaboration. The event demonstrated that while our backgrounds may span across different borders, our shared community is beautifully united under the One Curtin spirit. It was an unforgettable celebration that left everyone with full hearts, full stomachs, and memories that will last well beyond the academic year.
Written by Dinithi Mariyata Wickramasinghe
Student Council Communications Team
