One World Festival: Celebrating cultures from around the world
People in Portsmouth and the surrounding areas are being invited to celebrate the diversity that makes the city and its University so unique at the One World Festival, showcasing cultures from around the world.
The University of Portsmouth will be hosting a month-long programme of events this March, each week offering a dedicated theme and flagship event, providing something for everyone to enjoy and engage with.
Previously known as Global Week, One World Festival is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of diversity, inclusion and community. By bringing people together, One World Festival aims to provide an inspiring month full of events guaranteed to be as insightful as they are engaging.
Students, staff, alumni and the public can take part in a wide range of activities, from the bustling Festival of Cultures Exhibition celebrating international culture and community to a series of talks exploring topics such as TikTok Activism to a dance fitness festival.
Anna Vaernes, Head of Student Life at the University of Portsmouth, said: “I’m thrilled to celebrate the diversity that makes the University of Portsmouth community so unique.
“The programme brings people together to celebrate culture, with themed weeks and flagship events offering plenty of ways for everyone to get involved. This year is extra special as we mark the rebrand and celebrate a decade of worldwide culture, making the festival a true celebration of our community.”
Starting on Tuesday 3 March, the weekly themes are:
•Week 1 – Community & Diversity
•Week 2 – Learning & Research
•Week 3 – Kindness Around the World
•Week 4 – Celebration & Sharing
Each week brings a new theme and includes a range of different events aimed at celebrating our community, with many of them open to the public.
Flagship events for the One World Festival include:
•6 March – Holi Colour Run: Walk, jog, or sprint through bursts of vibrant powder to celebrate colour and culture
•13 March – Puppetry as a Global Practice (public lecture): Dr Matt Smith, Reader in Applied Theatre and Puppetry, lectures about the powerful rise of puppetry
•18 March – Iftar: interactive cultural stalls and Iftar dinner in the Chaplaincy sports hall, where those partaking can break their fast together
•27 March – Festival of Cultures Exhibition: Everyone’s invited to an afternoon of colourful displays, traditional items, food, games, art and more to bring together our international community
Dr Matt Smith from the University’s School of Film, Media, and Creative Technologies, said: “I am thrilled to be hosting a flagship event at the festival. This discussion will explore the impact of puppetry and the ‘puppet moment’ - a time when puppetry is taking centre stage across the globe.
“I’ll be looking at all kinds of puppetry in theatre and beyond and examining the power of this unique art form. I’ll share the inspiring ways puppetry continues even in challenging contexts, such as the current war in Ukraine. And of course, I’ll be bringing some of my puppets along so you can see firsthand how a puppeteer brings objects to life.”
Free tickets for each event can be booked via One World’s official event page.