Dance and vocal performances from eight countries, positive energy, lots of laughter, and a full house – that was the scene on Friday evening at Klub Oczki. All thanks to the students involved in the Diversity X WUM project, who promote and celebrate multiculturalism not only at our university.
Cultural Night, held on May 9, was the first in a series of major events organized as part of Diversity X WUM.
"Exploring the cultures of distant corners of the world together is a great opportunity for our students to integrate, regardless of where they come from, what they study, or which language they use every day," says Maria Kienitz, a member of Diversity X WUM responsible for marketing and promotion.
Sogo, El Jarabe Tapatío, Bharatanatyam… a multicultural feast
The event welcomed students and guests from various countries, Polish students, and WUM staff. The evening began with a speech the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medicine English Division, Assoc. Prof. Jacek Sieńko, MD, PhD. He asked the audience to observe a moment of silence in memory of a murdered employee of the University of Warsaw.
The entire evening was hosted by English Division students: Nicole Doyle and Brendan Ngandu.
The first performance came from the AMU Sogochum group from South Korea, in cooperation with the Korean Cultural Center, who presented a traditional dance using the sogo drum. Next, a member of the Monarka Mexican Dance Group performed El Jarabe Tapatío. Also known as the Mexican Hat Dance, El Jarabe Tapatío is considered Mexico’s national dance, symbolizing both courtship and Mexican pride.
"Traditionally performed by a man and a woman, the dance features vibrant costumes. The woman wears a colorful, ribbon-adorned ‘China Poblana’ dress, while the man wears a charro suit," explained Brendan Ngandu.
Next was a performance from the border of Europe and Asia. The Turkish dance group "Tureckie Klimaty" presented traditional Turkish folk dances, and the musical group KAPO7 enchanted the audience with their vocals and music.
Then, our talented student Arpita performed Bharatanatyam – one of the oldest and most graceful classical dance forms in India. But the journey through India wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the highly popular and dramatic Bollywood dance style. The Indian showcase ended with a folk-inspired Polish dance.
There was also a traditional Irish dance performance. Quick footwork and beautiful Celtic melodies performed by the Damhsa Alainn Irish dance group created a truly lively and unforgettable show.
"Irish dancing became popular worldwide thanks to shows like Riverdance, but its roots go back to rural celebrations in the 18th century," explained Nicole Doyle.
Students Sogol, Fateme, and Maryam then performed an emotional Persian dance. There was also a dance and vocal performance by WUM students from Zimbabwe. The multicultural showcase concluded with regional Polish dances performed by the “Warszawa” Folk Dance Ensemble from the University of Physical Education.
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What else is Diversity X WUM preparing to promote inclusivity?
This year, the students decided to expand the project with a new format – several events are planned from late May to June to allow for broader participation in building an intercultural community.
On Friday, May 30, an exhibition will be held in the Didactic Center showcasing traditional clothing, artistic objects, and everyday items.
On Saturday, May 31, lots of booths will be set up in front of the Didactic Center (as in previous years). Visitors will be able to meet international students, learn more about their countries, view interesting cultural items, taste traditional dishes, and hear authentic music.
In addition, the Diversity X WUM students are organizing workshops for university students and hosting high school visits to highlight the importance of inclusivity in today’s world.
You can find all the information about the students' initiatives on the Diversity X WUM project FB fanpage.

Photos: Bartosz Gieraziński, PR and Creative Media Team – Diversity X WUM