On 23 May 2026, the Medical University of Warsaw became a meeting place for cultures, traditions, and international friendships during the fourth edition of the Diversity x WUM Cultural Festival. The event brought together the university community and the residents of Warsaw for an afternoon filled with music, dance, traditional cuisine, and joyful celebration of diversity.
The festival, organized by students of the English Division and Polish Division of the Faculty of Medicine, as well as the English Dentistry Division and Polish Division of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, has become one of the most recognizable multicultural events at WUM. Its main goal is to build bridges between cultures, create a welcoming environment for international students, and strengthen the sense of community on campus.
“I'm grateful to WUM for supporting an event where we can proudly present the very best aspects of our cultures. It means a lot to us,” said Sogol Yourdkhani, a student from Iran and the main coordinator of the festival.
Prof. Paweł Włodarski, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the Medical University of Warsaw, emphasized the importance of the initiative:
“The Cultural Festival has permanently become part of the university calendar. It is a unique opportunity to spend joyful time together with the WUM community and friends of our university.”
A Multicultural Village Full of Flavours and Traditions
As in previous years, the festival took the form of an international tent village located on the Banacha Campus.
Each stand offered visitors an opportunity to experience a different culture through food, decorations, music, art, and traditional clothing.
Students, together with some of Warsaw’s finest restaurants invited to participate in the event, prepared a wide variety of dishes from their home countries.
Guests could taste Syrian sweets made with nuts, ghee butter, and sugar syrup, traditional British tea and biscuits, Iranian rice with curry, carrots and raisins, Brazilian coxinhas, Filipino pancit noodles, Pakistani Rooh Afza drink, and Ukrainian pierogi — among many other specialties.
The festival also featured artistic displays, cultural objects, posters, souvenirs, henna painting, and activities for children. Dance performances filled the campus with energy, including Bollywood shows and music inspired by Nigerian traditions. Visitors could travel symbolically through countries such as Brazil, Canada, the United States, Ukraine, India, Pakistan, Turkey, Greece, Iran, Nigeria, Thailand, and many more — all without leaving Warsaw.
“I’m happy that we have the opportunity to meet, taste delicious food, and discover different countries. I’m sure everyone will have a wonderful time here today,” said Assoc. Prof. Jacek Sieńko, MD, PhD, Vice-Dean for Students of the English Division, while opening the event.
One Community, Many Cultures
The Medical University of Warsaw is home to almost 800 international students from around 70 countries who study in English-language programs offered by the university.
WUM creates an academic environment that respects cultural, racial, and religious diversity while supporting international integration.
For many students, initiatives such as Diversity x WUM help transform the experience of studying abroad into something more personal and meaningful.
“Studying abroad can feel intimidating at first, but over time you realize how many wonderful people surround you, and the university becomes your second home,” said Jhanvi Preyas Patel, a student from Canada. “Our festival reflects the close friendships and amazing relationships we build during our studies at WUM.”
Fatima Yourdkhani, another student from Iran, added:
“We know that we all come from different backgrounds, so the festival helps us get to know one another better. In the middle of everyday academic life, it’s also a chance to step away from studying for a moment and simply enjoy being together.”
Diversity x WUM – More Than a Festival
The Diversity x WUM project was established in 2023 with the mission of promoting multiculturalism, openness, and intercultural friendships within the university community. Today, it continues to grow thanks to the engagement of students, faculty authorities, the English Division Student Government (EDSG), IFMSA-Poland Warsaw Branch, and the university’s Promotion and Communication Office.
This year’s festival was additionally preceded by a multicultural concert held at Klub Medyka, further highlighting the artistic talents and cultural richness of the international WUM community.
The Diversity x WUM Cultural Festival once again proved that despite different languages, traditions, and backgrounds, the WUM community shares common values: openness, respect, friendship, and mutual support.
