Spring Equinox – Workshop series for staff and students  | 20 March 2025

Celebrating heritage, culture, wellbeing and community in a creative space with the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business
Spring Equinox Culture event

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We are thrilled to announce the upcoming Spring Equinox Culture Festival, which falls on the same day on the Campus Food Market!
This vibrant event aims to celebrate heritage, culture, well-being, and community, offering an enriching experience for both staff and students. This event marks the first day of spring and commemorates several cultural events that coincide with the Spring Equinox. Among these celebrations is Naw-Ruz, the Persian New Year; Holi festival in India; Easter; and the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In one Faculty alone, we host approximately 925 international students from 35 different nationalities, including significant representations from Nigeria, the United States, Hong Kong, India, the Maldives, and Portugal.
This festival aims to honour and integrate these diverse cultures, fostering unity and appreciation within our university community.

Event highlights:

Cultural performances: Traditional dances and music reflecting the rich diversity of our community.
Exhibitions: Art and cultural displays showcasing the unique backgrounds of our students and staff.
Film screening: Films providing insights into different cultural narratives and histories.
Culinary delights: Cuisines from around the world, highlighting our community's diverse culinary traditions.

Join us!

We invite all staff and students to participate in this enriching festival. Whether through performances, exhibitions, or simply attending and enjoying the festivities, your involvement will contribute to a vibrant celebration of our collective heritage.
Further information on how to book your place on the classes and workshops will be released soon.
Let's come together to celebrate the Spring Equinox Culture Festival!
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Workshop series

Henna/Mendhi | 10:00–12:00 and 13:00–15:00 | Crosspoint, Roland Levinsky Building
Henna, a traditional form of body art rooted in diverse cultural practices, serves as a powerful symbol of interconnectedness. Come together, learn about each other’s traditions, and actively participate in an inclusive and respectful environment.
This event is open to all staff and students at the University. No booking is required to attend.

Indian Dance and Music | 11:00–15:00 | Roland Levinsky Building
RLB lecture hall | 11:00 – 11:15
Bollywood Dance Performance
Bollywood dancing is a colourful, dynamic and highly theatrical dance style seen in Indian films. It combines classical forms of dance including traditional Indian, folk, salsa, and freestyle while also incorporating more contemporary Western forms such as hip-hop, jazz and funk.
RLB 001A (studio next to the RLB Gallery) |11:30 – 12:30
Bolly-fusion Dance workshop (max 25 attendees)
Register your place
RLB Crosspoint area | 14:00 – 15:00
Musical Performance

Gentle Yoga Flow | 13:00–14:00 | Room 001A (studio next to The Levinsky Gallery), Roland Levinsky Building
Hosted by Megan Edwards (Instagram: @blockgymplymouth @_bliss_yoga)
Classical yoga asana (postures), breath work, and gentle warming movements to build strength, flexibility and relaxation. With a mixture of standing poses, dynamic flows and basic seated work, this class is suitable for all levels.
  • Please note this event is open to all staff and students across the University (booking essential as the number of attendees is capped).
  • Book your place on Eventbrite

Illustration Pop-up Exhibition | 10:00–16:00 | Crosspoint, Roland Levinsky Building
This exhibition showcases artists from diverse backgrounds, presenting work that reflect their unique experiences and its influence on their creative expression. By highlighting themes of self-identity and representation, the exhibition aims to foster deeper conversations about how culture and gender identity shape artistic perspectives. This is a platform to explore self-identity, celebrate diversity and encourages dialogue on the complexities of identity in art.

Film screening – Ernest Cole: Lost and Found (cert. 15) | 15:00 Speaker, 15:30 (Film: 1hr 46min) | Jill Craigie Cinema, Roland Levinsky Building
In observance of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we are hosting a screening of Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, a powerful documentary that uncovers the life and work of South African photographer Ernest Cole. His striking images exposed the brutal realities of apartheid to the world, but his negatives were lost for decades.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Raoul Peck (I Am Not Your Negro), and featuring narration by actor LaKeith Stanfield, this gripping film tells the story of an artist who risked everything to reveal the truth. Cole’s groundbreaking book, House of Bondage, published in 1967 when he was just 27, led to his exile in New York and Europe – never to return home.
Guest speaker Arezoo Farahzad, a respected community leader and long-standing chair of the board of trustees for the Plymouth Centre for Faiths and Cultural Diversity, will introduce the screening. Arezoo brings deep spiritual insight to her discussions, drawing from her extensive experiences. The Spring Equinox holds special significance for her, marking Naw-Ruz – the Iranian New Year and the Bahá'í New Year. The Bahá'í teachings emphasise the elimination of racial prejudice, advocating for the unity and equality of all people. Join us for this compelling and thought-provoking event!

Warli Art Painting Workshop | 13:00–14:00 | The SU (small room)
Warli is one of the oldest known art forms of India, with origins tracing back to the 10th century. Warli art is known for its captivating simplicity and use of geometric shapes and lines to depict cultural narratives, rituals, and everyday life. This event is for both beginners and experienced painters.

Sunflower Planting | 14:00–15:00 | The SU (small room)
Join the Wellbeing Activities team in the SU for a chance to plant your own sunflower, or two, to brighten up your summer. We will also have various material that you can use to decorate your plant pot – what's not to love!
Make sure to purchase your free ticket to ensure a space!

Campus Food Market | 10:00–16:00 | SU roof
Our Campus Food Market also takes place on Thursday, 20 March, and we hope you'll join us for a delightful selection of mouthwatering dishes while enjoying this vibrant social event!

Spiritual and Pastoral Team: Celebrate Naw Ruz with Us! | 19 March, 18:30–19:30 | Pastoral and Spiritual Support Centre, 1 Kirkby Terrace
Join us at the Pastoral and Spiritual Support Centre (opposite the James Street Vaults) for a vibrant celebration of Naw Ruz, a festival steeped in over 3,000 years of rich history and cultural significance! As we gather at the Spring equinox, we honour this incredible tradition celebrated in over 20 countries, right here in the UK, long before Christianity even graced our shores!
 

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Event photography and video

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